Y 


THE  SCO' 
PEA  niDQ^ 


I 


THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 


THE   YOUNG   KENTUCKIANS 

SERIES 
General  Nelson's  Scout 
On  General  Thomas's  Staff 
Battling  for  Atlanta 
From  Atlanta  to  the  Sea 
Raiding  with  Morgan 


THE  YOUNG   MISSOURIANS 
SERIES 

With  Lyon  in  Missouri 
The  Scout  of  Pea  Ridge 

Illustrated,  12mo,  per  volume,  $1.25 

A.  C.  McClurg  &  Co.,  Publishers 
CHICAGO 


'"SHT 


The  boy's  eves  flashed  as  he  stood  clutching  his  rifle,  looking 
upon  the  scene  ot  death  and  destruction      [Chapter  XI] 


THE  SCOUT  OF 
PEA  RIDGE 


BY 

BYRON  A.  DUNN 

AUTHOR  OF  "THE  YOUNG  KENTUCKIANS  "  SERIES 


WITH  EIGHT  ILLUSTRATIONS 

BY  H.  s.  Delay 


CHICAGO 
A.  C.  McCLURG  &  CO 

1911 


Copyright 

A    C.  McCLURG  &  CO. 

1911 


Published  October,  1 911 
All  Rights  Reserved 


W.  3f.  fall  l^rtnting  OlotnpanH 


To  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  Southzvest, — 
who  by  their  bravery  defeated  twice  their  number 
at  Pea  Ridge,  and  thus  brought  to  a  successful 
termination  the  great  zvork  zchich  Lyon  began, — 
this  volume  is  inscribed. 


iviGDScao 


PREFACE 


DISASTER  came  swift  and  sure  to  the  Union 
cause  in  Missouri  after  the  lamentable  death 
of  General  Nathaniel  Lyon. 

General  Price  swept  clear  up  to  the  Missouri 
River  with  his  army,  capturing  Lexington  with  over 
three  thousand  prisoners,  and  was  allowed  to  escape 
unscathed. 

In  this  book  real  history  does  not  commence  until 
the  capture  of  Lexington  by  Major  White.  In  this 
episode  as  well  as  in  the  brilliant  charge  of  Fre- 
mont's Body  Guard  under  the  command  of  Major 
Zagonyi  Lawrence  and  his  troop  personate  an  in- 
dependent troop  of  cavalry  called  the  Irish  Dragoons, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Naughton. 

In  the  charge  on  Springfield  Captain  Naughton 
lost  his  lieutenant  and  several  of  his  men,  but  Major 
Zagonyi  refused  to  acknowledge  that  Captain 
Naughton's  company  had  any  part  in  the  charge, 
and  a  fierce  controversy  arose  between  the  two. 

In  the  advance  into  Arkansas,  Lawrence's  com- 
pany is  represented  as  a  part  of  Major  Bowen's 

vii 


viii  Preface 

command ;  and  at  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  Lawrence 
takes  the  part  of  Bowen  himself. 

It  may  remain  a  doubt  in  the  minds  of  our  readers 
whether  Guilford  Craig  was  really  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Pea  Ridge.  This  at  present  is  a  mystery; 
in  fact,  is  still  a  mystery  in  the  mind  of  the  author 
himself. 

Perhaps  the  boys  and  girls  who  read  this  book 
can  help  him  solve  it. 

B.  A.  D. 
Waukegan,  Illinois. 

August ,  igii 


CONTENTS 


I  A  Meeting  with  Grant 

II  Shadowed  by  Spies 

III  Under  which  Flag? 

IV  The  Unknown 
V  I  am  the  Traitor 

VI  A  Stricken  Father 

VII  Underground  Railway 

VIII  Lawrence  is  Promoted 

IX  A  Murderous  Plot  Foiled 

X  A  Change  of  Base 

XI  A  Fight  with  Guerillas 

XII  The  Capture  of  Lexington 

XIII  The  Charge  of  the  Body  Guard 

XIV  Fremont  is  Removed 
XV  Hopoeithlevohola 

XVI  A  Faithless  Knight-Errant 

XVII  Bruno  Wins  a  Medal 

XVIII  Lawrence  AIeets  Benton 
Shelley 

XIX  Randolph  Hamilton 

XX  Lola  to  the  Rescue 

XXI  A  Race  for  Life    . 

XXII  Pea  Ridge       . 

XXIII  After  the  Battle 


Pagb 
I 

17 

31 

46 

60 

74 

85 
104 
118 

135 
154 

175 
199 

217 

227 

233 
245 

258 
272 
287 
306 
328 
341 


IX 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


"  The  boy's  eyes  flashed  as  he  stood  clutching 
his  ritle,  looking  upon  the  scene  of  death 
and  destruction "  .         .         .     Frontispiece 

"  The  door  burst  open,  and  with  a  cry  of 
*  Spare,  oh !  spare  my  son;  Mrs.  Craig  fell 
senseless  to  the  floor "       .         .         .         .68 

"  There  was  a  flash,  a  stunning  report,  and 
Lawrence  felt  a  burning  sensation  along  his 
forehead" 126 

"  Straight  through  the  crowd  he  rode,  striking 
right  and  left  " 192 

"  '  You  saved  me.'  she  repeated,  '  and  in  that 
uniform' "  240 

** '  I  surrender,'  said  Benton,  with  a  growl  "     .     264 

"  She  closed  and  locked   the  door,  none  too 

quickly  " 296 

"  Benton  fired,  aiming  squarely  at  his  breast. 
'At  last,  traitor!     At  last!'  he  said  "  .     338 


THE 
SCOUT  OF    PEA  RIDGE 


CHAPTER  I 

A  MEETING  WITH   GRANT 

AT  the  commencement  of  the  mighty  struggle 
between  the  North  and  the  South,  the  city  of 
St.  Louis  was  the  commercial  metropolis  of 
the  West.  At  that  time  Kansas  City  was  hardly 
more  than  a  village.  After  the  war  began,  St.  Louis, 
from  a  commercial  centre  became  a  vast  military 
depot.     It  was  soldiers,  soldiers,  everywhere. 

The  presence  of  the  soldiers  could  not,  however, 
suppress  the  disloyal  sentiment  of  the  city.  The 
great  majority  of  the  wealthier  inhabitants  were 
intensely  Southern,  and  they  took  every  occasion 
to  show  it,  especially  the  ladies.  They  never  lost 
an  opportunity  of  showing  their  contempt  for  the 
hated  Yankees ;  many  a  woman  would  sport  a  large 
Confederate  rosette  on  her  corsage,  and  for  even 
the  hem  of  her  garment  to  brush  a  blue  uniform 
was  contamination. 

1 


2  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

It  was  early  in  October,  in  1861,  that  a  young 
lieutenant  in  Federal  unifonn  was  slowly  walking 
down  Olive  Street.  His  pale  and  emaciated  feat- 
ures showed  that  he  had  but  recently  arisen  from 
a  bed  of  sickness.  In  fact  he  had  been  dangerously 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Wilson  Creek,  and  after- 
wards he  had  had  a  severe  attack  of  fever.  Now 
that  he  w^as  able  to  walk  he  was  eager  to  be 
in  active  service  once  more,  and  feeble  as  he  w^as,  he 
was  on  his  way  to  General  Fremont. 

Lawrence  Middleton,  for  that  was  the  name  of 
the  young  officer,  was  an  orphan.  His  father,  a 
minister,  had  been  killed  a  few  years  before  in  the 
border  warfare  which  raged  between  Kansas  and 
Missouri.  After  the  death  of  his  father  Lawrence 
had  gone  to  live  with  an  uncle  in  St.  Louis.  He 
w^as  received  kindly  and  treated  as  one  of  the  fam- 
ily. But  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  brought  a 
great  change.  His  uncle,  one  of  the  richest  men  in 
the  city  and  a  slave-owner,  cast  his  fortune  with  the 
South,  while  Lawrence  remained  steadfast  for  the 
Union. 

His  uncle  had  a  son,  Edward,  who  was  some 
three  or  four  years  older  than  Lawrence,  and  who 
was  intensely  Southern  in  his  belief.  He  had  al- 
w^ays  treated  Lawrence  as  a  brother,  "but  when  he 
found  out  that  Lawrence  had  not  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  South,  but  had  actually  joined  one  of  the  reg- 


A  MEETIXG  WITH  GRANT  8 

imenls  of  Home  Guards  raised  by  Frank  Blair,  his 
anger  knew  no  bounds,  and  he  swore  that  Lawrence 
must  leave  the  house,  or  he  would. 

Thus  Lawrence  was  made  an  outcast.  As  the 
nephew  of  the  rich  Mr.  Middleton,  he  had  always 
associated  with  the  most  aristocratic  people  of  St. 
Louis,  and  was  everywhere  a  favorite.  But  he  sud- 
denly found  himself  an  object  of  hatred  and  con- 
tempt, a  miserable,  despised  Yankee.  At  first  this 
was  galling  to  his  pride,  but  he  bore  it  bravely,  and 
soon  learned  not  to  let  it  trouble  him. 

When  Lawrence  first  joined  the  Home  Guards, 
he  was  made  a  lieutenant  in  one  of  the  companies 
of  the  First  Regiment,  and  when  his  uncle  cast  him 
off,  Frank  Blair  made  him  his  private  secretary. 
Thus  Lawrence  found  new  and  powerful  friends, 
and  in  the  exciting  scenes  through  which  he  passed, 
did  not  miss  that  which  he  had  lost. 

About  the  time  Lawrence  was  cast  off  by  his 
uncle,  one  of  his  school  mates,  Guilford  Craig, 
came  to  him.  He  was  a  silent,  taciturn  boy,  and  was 
thought  to  be  a  little  queer.  He  rarely  took  part  in 
any  of  the  boyish  sports  and  made  few  friends. 
Guilford  had  a  step-brother  Benton  Shelley,  who 
attended  the  same  school.  He  was  older  than  Guil- 
ford and  of  a  domineering  spirit,  and  it  was  evident 
there  was  little  love  lost  between  the  brothers. 

One  day  in  a  heated  argument,  Benton  Shelley 


4  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

called  Lawrence  a  Lincolnite  and  a  coward  and 
was  promptly  knocked  down.  This  made  Benton 
swear  undying  enmity  towards  Lawrence. 

A  short  time  after  the  fight  Guilford  Craig  came 
to  Lawrence  in  secret,  and  thanked  him  for  whip- 
ping his  step-brother,  saying  he  hated  him,  as  well 
as  his  step-mother,  and  told  the  reason  why.* 

Guilford  was  naturally  secretive  and  cunning,  and 
he  had  brooded  so  long  over  the  incident  (which 
seemed  to  have  warped  his  whole  life)  that  he  had 
become  a  monomaniac  on  the  subject.  He  hated 
slavery  as  intensely  as  ever  did  John  Brown. 

Swearing  Lawrence  to  secrecy,  Guilford  in- 
formed him  that  wdiile  apparently  he  was  one  of 
the  most  rabid  of  secessionists,  he  was  for  the  North 
with  his  whole  heart  and  soul,  and  that  it  was  his 
intention  to  join  Frost's  militia  and  act  as  a  spy. 
This  he  did,  and  he  acted  his  part  so  w-ell,  that  he 
became  an  orderly  to  General  Frost;  and  after  the 
capture  of  Camp  Jackson,  became  a  spy  in  the  em- 
ploy of  General  Sterling  Price. 

While  orderly  to  General  Frost  he  was  enabled 
to  gain  the  most  valuable  information,  which  he  im- 
parted to  Lawrence,  and  through  him  to  Lyon  and 
Blair.  It  was  through  the  information  thus  re- 
ceived that  Blair  and  Lyon  were  enabled  to  thwart 
the  most  secret  machinations  of  those  who  were 
trying  to  drag  Missouri  out  of  the  Union. 

*See  "  With  Lyon  in  Missouri." 


A  MEETING  WITH  GRANT  5 

Lawrence  had  not  seen  his  trusted  ally  since  the 
battle  of  Wilson  Creek,  and  as  he  walked  along  on 
his  way  to  Fremont's  headquarters  he  wondered 
what  had  become  of  him.  "  I  am  afraid,"  he 
sighed,  "  that  Guilford  and  I  will  never  again  be  as 
much  ser\'ice  to  the  Union  as  we  have  been.  Oh! 
that  Lyon  had  lived."  And  his  eyes  filled  with  tears 
as  he  thought  of  his  beloved  commander. 

Lawrence  was  now^  on  one  of  the  most  fashion- 
able streets  of  the  city  and  met  many  that  he  knew. 
Boys  with  whom  he  had  gone  to  school,  and  who 
had  been  proud  of  even  a  speaking  acquaintance, 
now  passed  him  with  looks  of  hatred,  and  more 
than  once  words  of  bitter  scorn  and  contempt  were 
hurled  at  him.  Ladies  who  had  once  petted  him 
now  ignored  him,  and  held  aside  their  skirts  so  that 
even  the  hem  of  their  dresses  might  not  touch  him. 

At  one  place  a  large  United  States  flag  hung  over 
the  sidewalk,  and  LawTence  smiled,  as  he  noticed 
that  every  woman  and  girl  whose  heart  was  with 
the  South  walked  around  in  the  street  rather  than 
pass  under  it. 

One  lady  richly  dressed,  gave  her  skirt  a  more 
vicious  twitch  than  usual  and  actually  spat  at  Law- 
rence in  contempt  as  she  passed  him.  "  That 's 
Mrs.  Craig,  Guilford's  step-mother,"  laughed 
Lawrence  to  himself.  "  I  reckon  she  has  forgotten 
how  I  saved  her  life  in  the  crush  of  the  mob  when 


6  TUB  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

she  was  fleeing  in  terror  from  the  vengeance,  as 
she  supposed,  of  Frank  Blair's  Dutch.  Well,  my 
lady,  I  am  still  alive,  but  no  thanks  to  that  precious 
son  of  yours." 

Lawrence  grew  a  trifle  nervous  as  he  noticed  two 
young  misses,  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of 
age,  coming  down  the  sidewalk  towards  him.  Both 
w^ere  fashionably  dressed  and  both  wore  large  Con- 
federate rosettes,  and  the  way  they  turned  their 
pretty  noses  up  when  they  passed  one  of  the  de- 
tested Yankees,  was  laughable.  Lawrence  did  not 
care  to  meet  them.  He  knew  them  well,  one  of 
them  especially  well.  His  first  thought  was  to  turn 
and  avoid  them,  but  no,  that  would  be  cowardly. 
So  he  passed  them  with  head  as  high  as  their  own, 
and  without  deigning  to  look  at  them. 

"  Mercy,  Dorothy,"  laughed  one  of  the  girls,  "  did 
you  notice  that  ?  He  did  n't  even  give  us  a  chance 
to  snub  him.  But  he  do  n't  look  like  himself,  he  is 
so  pale  and  thin.  They  say  he  came  nearly  being 
killed  in  that  dreadful  battle  near  Springfield.  I 
wish  he  had.  It  would  pay  him  for  turning  Yankee, 
and  I  used  to  think  he  was  such  a  nice  boy.  I  heard 
father  say  his  uncle  had  forgiven  him  for  turning 
Yankee  and  taken  him  back  into  favor.  I  did  n't 
think  that  of  Mr.  Middleton." 

The  girl  addressed  as  Dorothy  did  not  reply.  In 
fact  her  mind  seemed  so  preoccupied  that  she  actu- 


A  MEETING  WITH  GRANT  7 

ally  brushed  against  a  soldier,  and  forgot  to  draw 
aside  her  skirt. 

"  Why,  Dorothy  Hamilton,"  prattled  on  her 
companion,  "  \vhat 's  the  matter?  Oh!  I  know, 
you  used  to  be  kind  of  sweet  on  Lawrence  Middle- 
ton.     Think  of  turning  Yankee  yourself?  " 

Dorothy's  eyes  flashed.  *'  Helen  Southwick,  if 
you  value  my  friendship,  never  say  such  a  thing 
again,"  she  snapped.  "  I  turn  Yankee  for  Lawrence 
Middleton?  I  had  rather  die  than  turn  Yankee  for 
any  one.  I  was  thinking  what  a  pity  it  was  that 
Lawrence  went  with  the  North.  Like  you,  I  used 
to  think  he  was  a  nice  boy,  but  now  I  hate  him.  I 
not  only  hate  him,  I  despise  him.  He  was  not  sat- 
isfied with  being  a  traitor  to  the  South,  but  he  had 
to  insult  me." 

"  Insult  you,  how?  I  always  thought  he  was  one 
of  the  most  gentlemanly  of  boys,"  answered  Helen. 

Dorothy  walked  along  a  short  distance  without 
answering. 

"  Dorothy,  why  do  n't  you  tell  me,"  persisted 
Helen.  "  I  shall  begin  to  think  it  was  something 
awful." 

"  Well,  it  was  this  way.  You  know  he  and  I 
used  to  be  great  friends,  and  when  I  heard  he  had 
turned  Yankee  I  was  all  cut  up.  I  met  him  on  the 
street  and  told  him  never  to  speak  to  me  again. 
Just  before  that  T  had  met  that  spiteful  little  Lola 


8  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

Laselle  and  told  her  our  friendship  was  at  an  end. 
You  know  both  her  father  and  brother  are  for  the 
Union." 

"  Yes,"  sighed  Helen,  "  this  war  is  making  terri- 
ble havoc  with  old  friendships.  But  why  call  Lola 
spiteful?" 

"  Never  mind.  When  I  met  Lawrence  and  tolil 
him  never  to  speak  to  me  again,  he  did  n't  seem  to 
be  a  bit  taken  back,  but  laughed  and  said,  *  Wh}/, 
Miss  Dorothy,  you  seem  to  be  going  back  on  all 
your  old  friends.  I  met  a  little  girl  a  few  minutes 
ago  crying  bitterly  because  you  had  cut  her 
cold/  *  I  suppose  you  mean  Lola  Laselle,'  I 
snapped.  *  Of  course  you  comforted  her.'  *  Why, 
sure  I  did,'  he  answered,  '  I  told  her  it  was  just 
jealousy  on  your  part  because  she  was  better  looking 
than  you.'  " 

(Be  it  known  that  Dorothy  Hamilton  was  called 
a  very  pretty  girl.) 

"  Dorothy  Hamilton,  did  he  tell  you  that  ? " 
asked  Helen  with  wide  open  eyes. 

"Yes,  he  did.  He  had  the  audacity  to  tell  me 
that." 

"The  mean  thing,  no  wonder  you  hate  him," 
answered  Helen,  but  an  amused  smile  played  around 
her  mouth  as  she  said  it. 

"  They  do  say,"  went  on  Dorothy,  "  that  he  and 
Lola  are  awful  thick,  but  I  do  n't  care.     He  is  noth- 


A  MEETIXG  WITH  GEAXT  9 

ing  but  a  poor  beggar  anyway,  dependent  on  the 
charity  of  his  uncle." 

But  there  was  a  queer  htUe  quiver  in  Dorothy's 
voice  as  she  said  this. 

Helen  stopped  and  looked  at  her  companion  curi- 
ously. "  Dorothy  Hamilton,  I  do  believe  you  care 
for  him,"  she  exclaimed. 

"  Helen  Southwick,"  cried  Dorothy  in  a  rage, 
stamping  her  little  foot,  "  take  care.  What  did  I 
tell  you?  I  tell  you  I  hate  him,  but  that  can  not 
make  me  forget  that  he  once  saved  Randolph's  life 
when  those  Dutch  demons  were  about  to  stamp  him 
to  death.  And  then  Lawrence  is  so  brave,  and  I 
cannot  help  admiring  bravery  even  in  an  enemy. 
You  know  if  it  had  not  been  for  him  his  cousin,  Ed- 
ward Middleton,  would  have  been  killed  at  Wilson 
Creek.  And  he  saved  Edward's  life  nearly  at  the 
expense  of  his  own.  Randolph  wrote  us  all  about 
it.  He  says  it  was  one  of  the  bravest  and  noblest 
acts  he  ever  saw.  Randolph  likes  him,  but  I  hate 
him,  oh !  how  I  hate  him !  " 

Helen  wisely  did  not  pursue  the  subject,  but  sud- 
denly said,  "  Dorothy,  here  come  two  Yankee  of- 
ficers, regular  dudes;  let  us  show  them  how  we 
despise  them." 

So  the  girls  gave  their  skirts  an  extra  twitch, 
and  tilted  their  noses  a  little  more  skyward  than 
usual.     The   officers   smiled  and    one   of   them    re- 


10  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

marked,  "  There  go  two  deuced  pretty  girls.  They 
don't  hate  a  good  looking  Yankee  half  as  much  as 
they  pretend.  Pity  they  are  not  two  or  three  years 
older.     I  would  try  to  get  an  introduction." 

"  Little  good  it  w^ould  do  you,"  laughed  the  other. 
"  I  had  as  soon  try  and  tame  a  wildcat  as  some  of 
these  Southern  girls." 

In  the  meantime  Lawrence  went  on  his  way  all 
unmindful  that  he  was  the  topic  of  conversation  be- 
tween the  two  girls.  His  heart  was  rather  sore,  for 
say  and  act  as  we  may,  it  is  rather  galling  to  our 
pride  to  have  those  with  whom  we  once  associated 
pass  us  by  as  strangers,  even  though  we  suffer  for 
the  most  just  of  causes. 

Lawrence  had  not  gone  far  w^hen  to  his  surprise 
and  delight  he  saw  Guilford  Craig  coming  towards 
him.  That  young  gentleman  did  not  seem  to  no- 
tice him,  but  as  he  passed  Lawrence  felt  a  scrap  of 
paper  pressed  into  his  hand.  After  walking  a  few 
yards  he  glanced  at  it.  All  it  said  w^as,  "  Meet  me 
to-night  at  nine  o'clock  at  the  old  place.  Be  careful. 
Mistrust  your  own  shadow." 

"  There  must  be  danger  ahead,"  thought  Law^- 
rence.  "  That  is  the  reason  he  passed  w^ithout 
recognizing  me.  I  w^onder  what  it  can  be,  but 
Guilford  makes  no  mistakes.  I  must  be  careful  until 
I  see  him  and  learn  w'hat  it  is  that  threatens." 

Thus  thinking,  Lawrence  put  the  little  scrap  of 


A  MEETING  WITH  GEANT  11 

paper  in  his  mouth,  chewed  it  and  threw  it  away. 
Then  it  came  to  him  that  it  might  have  been  un- 
wise of  him  to  read  the  shp  so  soon  after  Guil- 
ford had  passed,  but  there  was  no  help  for  it  now, 
and  he  went  on  somewhat  uneasy  in  mind. 

He  soon  reached  headquarters,  where  he  found 
all  bustle  and  excitement,  for  Fremont  was  to  leave 
for  Jefferson  City  in  a  couple  of  days  to  commence 
his  fonvard  movement  against  Price.  Lawrence 
found  the  headquarters  like  a  regal  court.  Officers 
glittering  in  gold  lace  were  rushing  here  and  there, 
and  Lawrence  had  hard  work  to  get  past  the 
guards,  even  into  an  outer  waiting  room. 

How  different  from  the  headquarters  of  General 
Lyon,  he  thought,  and  tears  came  into  his  eyes  as 
he  remembered  the  fate  of  his  loved  general. 

It  was  a  long  time  that  Lawrence  had  to  wait, 
and  he  began  to  think  he  would  never  get  an  inter- 
view, when  the  door  opened  and  Frank  Blair  came 
out  from  the  presence  of  Fremont.  Blair  was  ac- 
companied by  a  short  stocky  man  wearing  a  plain 
uniform,  and  the  only  badge  of  office  he  showed 
was  a  star  which  glittered  on  his  shoulder. 

Lawrence  knew  him  at  once.  It  was  the  man 
who  had  befriended  him  when  he  first  landed  in 
St.  Louis  a  lonely,  ragged,  dirty,  hungry  boy. 
Just  then  Blair  spied  Lawrence  and  rushed  up  to 
him  with  extended  hand. 


12  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  Lieutenant  Middleton,  as  I  live,"  exclaimed 
Blair,  giving  Lawrence's  hand  a  wami  shake.  "  My 
boy,  I  thought  I  had  lost  you,  but  I  heard  that  your 
uncle  had  taken  you  in  and  cared  for  you.  That 
will  atone  for  many  of  his  sins.  But  come,  I  want 
to  introduce  you  to  General  Grant." 

Lawrence  colored  to  the  roots  of  his  hair;  it  was 
an  honor  he  did  not  expect.  So  it  was  General 
Grant  who  had  befriended  him. 

"  General,"  said  Blair,  "  this  is  Lieutenant  Mid- 
dleton, the  young  officer  I  have  been  telling  you 
about.  To  no  one  w^ere  we  so  indebted  as  to  him 
for  information  which  thwarted  the  most  secret 
machinations  of  Jackson  and  Frost.  Not  only  this, 
but  at  Wilson  Creek  he  proved  a  hero,  and  it  was 
he  who  caught  the  gallant  Lyon  in  his  arms  as  he 
fell." 

"  Lideed,"  replied  Grant  reaching  out  his  hand, 
"  I  am  glad  to  meet  Lieutenant  Middleton."  Law- 
rence received  a  grasp  of  the  hand  so  wanii,  so 
friendly  that  it  thrilled  him. 

"  I  am  more  than  glad  to  meet  General  Grant," 
exclaimed  Lawrence,  "  but,  General,  this  is  not  our 
first  meeting.  I  have  met  you  once  before  and  on 
that  occasion  you  did  me  a  great  kindness,  one  I 
shall  never  forget,  and  one  for  which,  until  now,  I 
have  never  been  able  to  thank  you." 

General   Grant  looked  surprised.  "  I  do  not  re- 


A  MEETIXG   WITH  GRANT  13 

member  of  ever  having  seen  you  before,  young  man," 
he  repHed. 

"  General,  five  years  ago,  a  forlorn,  dirty,  ragged 
boy  sat  on  the  curbstone  on  this  very  street,  crying 
as  if  his  heart  would  break.  He  felt  that  he  did 
not  have  a  friend  in  the  world.  Hundreds  passed 
him  by  unnoticed,  but  you  in  the  kindness  of  your 
heart  noticed  him  and  asked  him  what  was  the  mat- 
ter. You  took  him  for  a  newsboy.  The  little  boy 
told  you  he  wanted  to  find  his  uncle,  and  mentioned 
his  name.  You  looked  incredulous  when  you  heard 
the  name,  but  paid  the  street  car  fare  to  near  where 
his  uncle  lived." 

"  Why.  I  remember  that,"  replied  Grant,  "  the 
boy  was  as  disreputable-looking  a  specimen  as  I 
ever  saw.  I  remember  it  because  the  man  he  said 
was  his  uncle  was  one  of  the  richest  and  best  known 
men  in  St.  Louis.  It  is  not  possible  you  are  that 
boy." 

"  I  am  that  boy,"  answered  Lawrence,  "  and  now 
that  I  know  it  was  you  who  befriended  me,  it  has 
added  to  my  happiness.  I  found  my  uncle,  and  he 
took  me  in  and  cared  for  me  as  a  son  until  —  until 
he  knew  I  was  Union,  then  he  cast  me  off.  But 
that  has  all  been  made  up.  We  are  friends  once 
more." 

Blair  stood  by,  an  interested  listener.  "  General," 
he  exclaimed,  "  that  little  act  of  kindness  is  just 


14  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

like  you,  but  that  five  cents  has  been  worth  miUions 
to  the  Government." 

"  It  was  a  little  thing  to  do,"  replied  Grant. 
"  When  I  have  more  time  I  would  like  to  hear  from 
Lieutenant  Middleton  how  he  came  to  be  in  St. 
Louis  in  the  condition  I  found  him.  But  I  must  be 
going  now." 

"  I  shall  expect  to  hear  something  good  from  you 
in  your  new  command  before  long,"  said  Blair  as 
he  shook  hands  with  the  General  and  bade  him  good- 
bye. 

As  Grant  walked  away  Blair  said,  "  Mark  that 
man  well.  Lieutenant,  for  if  I  mistake  not,  he  will 
be  heard  from  before  the  war  is  over.  He  is  now 
In  command  at  Cairo." 

With  Blair  as  sponsor,  Lawrence  had  no  trouble 
in  securing  the  coveted  audience  with  Fremont.  In 
a  few  words  Blair  explained  to  Fremont  who  Law- 
rence was  and  hinted  that  it  might  be  to  the  advan- 
tage of  the  cause  if  he  (Fremont)  would  give  him 
the  same  position  that  he  held  under  Lyon. 

Fremont  frowned  and  replied,  "  Impossible,  as 
much  as  I  would  like  to  oblige  you.  My  staff  is 
fully  made  up,  the  chief  of  my  scouts  is  giving  sat- 
isfaction. In  fact  I  get  too  much  news.  I  hardly 
know  which  way  to  turn.  Hell  seems  broken  loose 
all  over  the  State.  The  only  thing  I  see  for  Lieuten- 
ant Middleton  to  do  is  to  join  his  regiment." 


A  MEETiyO  WITH  GRANT  15 

Blair  bit  his  lip.  "  General,"  he  answered, 
"  Lieutenant  Middleton  is  too  useful  a  man  to  be 
buried  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  anny.  Assign  him  to 
me  on  special  duty.  I  will  see  that  he  has  work  to 
do." 

"  As  you  like,"  said  Fremont,  and  the  assign- 
ment was  made. 

When  by  themselves  Blair  said,  "  Lieutenant  I 
am  almost  disheartened  over  the  situation.  Every- 
thing has  gone  wrong  since  Lyon  was  killed.  To 
think  of  their  letting  Price  reach  the  Missouri  River 
and  capture  Lexington.  Even  after  Lexington  was 
captured,  he  could  have  been  headed  off,  and  his 
army  annihilated,  if  proper  generalship  had  been 
shown.  The  fact  is,  Fremont  is  scared  to  death  over 
St.  Louis,  and  he  utterly  fails  to  grasp  the  situa- 
tion. He  is  not  the  man  for  the  place.  He  is  all 
for  pomp  and  show,  and  believes  himself  to  be  the 
greatest  general  in  the  world.  There  is  Grant,  he 
is  worth  a  hundred  of  him." 

"  Where  is  Price  now  ?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Somewhere  around  Springfield.  I  wish  w-e  had 
Guilford  Craig  again.  H  we  had  we  would  know 
more  about  what  Price  is  doing.  I  wonder  what 
has  become  of  Craig." 

"  I  have  an  appointment  to  meet  him  at  nine 
o'clock  to-night,"  replied  Lawrence. 

"  You  have !     Good !  "  exclaimed  Blair.     "  That 


16  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

is  the  best  news  I  have  heard  for  a  long  time.  Re- 
port to  me  in  the  morning  what  he  has  to  say;  or, 
what  may  be  better,  bring  him  along.  CoiTie  early 
as  I  may  have  to  leave  in  the  afternoon." 

"  I  can  hardly  wait  until  evening  to  see  him," 
said  Lawrence.  "  There  is  something  mysterious 
going  on.  He  passed  me  on  the  street  without  no- 
ticing me,  but  pressed  a  slip  of  paper  in  my  hand. 
It  contained  an  appointment  for  to-night  and  then 
he  added,  *  Be  careful,  mistrust  your  own  shadow.'  " 

"  That  must  mean  that  you  are  in  personal  dan- 
ger; you  know  how  you  are  hated." 

"  It  may,"  replied  Lawrence,  "  but  I  will  learn 
all  when  I  see  him.  I  will  report  as  early  as  possi- 
ble in  the  morning,  General." 

Blair  stood  and  looked  after  him  as  he  went  his 
way.  "  What  could  Craig  have  meant,"  he  mut- 
tered, "  I  have  a  mind  to  have  Middleton  guarded, 
he  is  too  valuable  a  man  to  lose,  but  perhaps  when 
he  sees  Craig  all  will  be  explained." 


CHAPTER  II 

SHADOWED  BY  SPIES 

LAWREXXE  left  the  headquarters  of  General 
Fremont  downhearted  and  dispirited.  It 
was  evident  he  would  never  be  to  Fremont 
what  he  had  been  to  Lyon.  But  could  he  expect  it  ? 
At  the  beginning  it  was  a  battle  of  deceit,  of  treach- 
er}-;  a  battle  of  master  minds  trying  to  over-reach 
each  otlier  in  intrigue  and  statecraft.  Now  it  was 
stern  war.  The  days  of  diplomacy,  of  compromise, 
had  passed.  The  appeal  had  been  made  to  the  god 
of  war,  and  now  the  cannon  and  the  musket  would 
have  to  settle  the  question. 

Under  the  changed  conditions  Lawrence  felt  he 
could  never  do  for  the  Union  as  much  as  he  had 
done.  He  would  now  be  but  one  of  thousands  bat- 
tling for  the  old  flag. 

He  also  felt  that  Guilford  Craig  could  never 
again  accomplish  as  much  as  he  had.  It  would  be 
more  and  more  difficult  for  him  to  keep  up  his 
double  role.  General  Price  would  expect  him  to 
find  out  all  he  could  about  the  Federal  army  with- 
out giving  any  of  his  secrets  in  return.    Yes,  he  felt 

17 


18  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

General  Fremont  was  right,  his  place  was  with  his 
regiment. 

To  pass  away  the  time  Lawrence  walked  down 
to  the  levee.  It  was  a  busy  scene  he  looked  upon. 
Scores  of  steamboats  lay  for  miles  up  and  down 
the  river.  Huge  piles  of  military  stores  encum- 
bered the  levee,  enough  it  seemed  to  feed  a  nation 
for  years.  Regiments  were  marching  aboard  the 
boats  on  their  way  down  the  river.  Cairo  was 
thought  to  be  in  danger,  and  Grant  was  being  rein- 
forced. Officers  were  shouting  themselves  hoarse. 
Hundreds  of  black  stevedores  were  rushing  around 
loading  and  unloading  the  boats,  and  the  air  was 
full  of  profanity.  To  the  spectator  it  seemed  a 
babel  of  confusion  —  a  great  ant  hill  with  human 
beings  as  the  ants,  and  in  those  days  human  life  was 
of  little  more  value  than  the  ant's. 

Lawrence  turned  from  the  scene  with  a  sigh. 
Since  his  convalescence,  he  had  learned  that  things 
were  not  going  w^ell  in  Missouri.  Most  all  that 
Lyon  had  gained  had  been  lost.  General  Price  had 
swept  clear  up  to  the  Missouri  River,  capturing  Lex- 
ington with  Mulligan's  entire  command.  The  whole 
State  was  over-run  with  desultory  bands  of  Confed- 
erates making  war  on  their  Union  neighbors.  From 
every  county  came  stories  of  pillage  and  murder. 
And  yet  this  was  but  the  beginning. 

Lawrence  went  back  to  his  uncle's  and  impatiently 


SHADOWED  BY  SPIES  19 

waited  for  the  time  to  come  for  him  to  meet  Guil- 
ford Craig.  The  night  proved  dark  and  cloudy, 
and  the  flickering  street  lamps  gave  but  a  dim  light. 
So  much  the  better,  thought  Lawrence  for  his  meet- 
ing with  Guilford,  yet  he  could  hardly  see  the  cause 
for  so  much  secrecy. 

But  he  would  have  been  startled  if  he  had  known 
that  as  he  left  his  uncle's  house  a  man  who  had 
been  lurking  on  the  other  side  of  the  street,  stealth- 
ily followed  him.  All  unconscious  of  being  shad- 
owed he  went  straight  to  the  place  of  rendezvous, 
and  reached  it  just  as  the  clock  was  striking  nine. 
Guilford  had  not  put  in  an  appearance  and  Law- 
rence waited  in  silence,  his  back  close  to  the  wall. 
So  dark  was  it  that  one  might  have  passed  along  the 
walk  and  never  noticed  him.  He  had  been  there 
but  a  moment  when  the  dim  figure  of  a  man  slowly 
slouched  by,  apparently  not  seeing  him.  But  after 
the  man  had  passed  and  the  darkness  had  com- 
pletely hid  him,  Lawrence  no  longer  heard  his  foot- 
steps and  he  thought  it  curious. 

A  few  minutes  afterwards  a  young  man  came 
along  walking  briskly.  As  he  passed  Lawrence,  he 
whispered,  "  You  are  watched.  Follow  me.  Be 
careful." 

It  was  the  voice  of  Guilford  Craig.  Wondering, 
Lawrence  followed  after  him,  a  few  paces  in  the 
rear.     When  they  came  where  th^  light  of  a  street 


20  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

lamp  fell  on  Guilford,  Lawrence  saw  that  he  was  in 
his  old  disguise,  and  that  he  must  be  addressed  as 
Charles  Morris. 

Lawrence  was  now  all  alert.  There  was  some- 
thing more  afoot  than  he  had  been  aware  of.  He 
had  not  gone  far  when  he  became  convinced  some- 
one was  shadowing  him.  Glancing  back  he  caught 
sight  of  a  stealthy  figure  who  seemed  to  be  follow- 
ing him,  but  he  had  no  time  to  investigate,  for  Guil- 
ford kept  straight  on  until  he  came  to  a  well  lighted 
street  where  he  halted,  apparently  to  gaze  into  a 
show  window. 

"  Do  n't  speak  to  me  or  look  at  me,"  whispered 
Guilford.  "  Go  straight  home,  and  I  will  meet  you 
as  soon  as  I  think  safe  at  the  rear  entrance  to  your 
uncle's  lot.     Go  boldly  as  if  you  suspected  nothing." 

Mystified,  Lawrence  walked  on  still  leaving  Guil- 
ford gazing  at  the  window.  Why  was  he  shad- 
owed? Lawrence  could  not  imagine,  but  shadowed 
he  was.  He  glanced  back.  The  man  he  had  sus- 
pected of  following  him  had  passed  Guilford. 

"  Now  I  know  what  Guilford  is  up  to,"  thought 
Lawrence.  "  He  wants  to  follow  the  fellow  and  find 
out  who  he  is."  Thus  thinking,  Lawrence  went 
straight  home,  but  passed  through  the  house  into 
the  back  yard.  The  lot  on  which  his  uncle's  house 
was  built  was  a  large  one,  extending  from  one  street 
to  another.     On  the  back  street  was  an  entrance 


SHADOWED  BY  SPIES  21 

which  led  to  the  stables.  Lawrence  saw  to  it  that 
the  gate  was  unfastened  and  then  sat  down  to  wait 
for  his  friend. 

It  seemed  to  him  he  had  waited  a  long  time,  and 
he  began  to  think  Guilford  was  not  coming  when 
the  gate  was  gently  shaken.  He  sprang  up  and 
opened  it  and  Guilford  entered. 

"  Let  us  get  where  we  cannot  be  heard,"  Guil- 
ford whispered.  "  Even  walls  have  ears.  I  am  not 
sure  but  I  believe  I  have  been  followed  here,  or  that 
the  house  is  being  watched  from  all  sides.  There 
is  trouble  brewing." 

Lawrence  locked  the  gate  and  led  Guilford  back 
to  a  rustic  seat  under  a  tree.  All  around  wa^  thick 
darkness. 

"  Now,  I  think  we  are  safe  from  being  overheard," 
said  Lawrence.  "  No  one  can  scale  the  fence  with- 
out the  aid  of  a  ladder.  Now  tell  me  what  has  hap- 
pened. In  the  name  of  Heaven,  why  are  we 
hounded  by  so  many  spies  ?  " 

"  I  am  not  certain  of  my  ground  yet,"  answered 
Guilford,  "  but  I  believe  I  am  in  more  danger  than 
you." 

"  You !  "  exclaimed  Lawrence  in  surprise,  "  then 
why  shadow  me?  Did  you  find  out  who  was  shad- 
owing me?  " 

"  Yes,  it  was  Tom  Stone." 

"  Why,  I  hardly  know  him." 


22  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  But  Bent  knows  him  well.  I  have  a  surprise 
for  you.     Bent  is  in  the  city." 

Lawrence  nearly  sprang  to  his  feet  in  surprise. 
"  Bent  in  the  city!  "  he  exclaimed  in  consternation. 
"  Then  he  must  be  here  as  a  spy." 

"  Yes,  and  he  seems  to  have  let  loose  a  herd  of 
other  spies  upon  us,"  answered  Guilford.  "  I  re- 
mained at  the  window,  confident  I  would  not  be  rec- 
ognized in  my  disguise,  to  see  if  I  could  rec- 
ognize the  person  shadowing  you.  As  I  told  you. 
it  was  Tom  Stone.  He  followed  you  clear  home. 
Just  here  he  was  joined  by  Jerry  Alcorn  and  Alf 
Sevier." 

"  Alf  Sevier !  Great  Heavens !  He  lives  right 
opposite,"  exclaimed  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  and  you  may  be  sure  you  do  not  make  a 
move  without  he  knows  it.  As  I  w^as  saying,  Tom 
Stone  followed  you  here.  When  Jerry  and  Alf 
came  up,  the  three  held  a  consultation.  Then  Jerry 
went  one  way  and  Tom  another,  and  Alf  went  into 
the  house,  no  doubt  to  watch  from  there  whether 
you  came  out  or  not.  I  have  no  doubt  that  either 
Tom  or  Jerry  is  w^atching  the  rear;  and  if  so,  it 
is  known  that  someone  is  in  here  with  you.  But 
thanks  to  my  disguise,  it  will  keep  them  guessing 
who  it  is." 

"But  why  all  this  spying  on  me?"  asked  Law- 
rence.    "  It  looks  as  if  I  were  the  one  they  were 


SHADOWED' Br  SPIES  23 

after,  and  yet  you  say  you  are  in  more  danger  than 
I  am.*' 

"  Listen,  and  you  will  know,"  said  Guilford.  "  I 
only  arrived  in  the  city  yesterday.  Of  course  I  went 
straight  home.  The  first  chance  she  got,  Molly,  one 
of  the  house  servants  whispered  to  me  that  Bent 
was  at  home.  Had  been  for  two  or  three  days,  but 
that  he  kept  secreted,  and  that  even  my  father  ditl 
not  know  he  was  here.  Alolly  is  my  friend,  all  the 
house  servants  are,  but  they  all  hate  Bent.  There 
is  not  a  secret  of  the  house  but  what  they  tell  me. 
Molly  says  that  my  stepmother  was  greatly  terri- 
fied when  she  first  saw  Bent,  for  he  came  disguised. 
}^Iolly  says  he  only  comes  home  at  night  and  then 
only  for  a  short  time.  No  doubt  he  is  in  some  se- 
cret hiding  place.  The  city  is  full  of  these  secret 
meeting  places  of  Rebels,  and  you  may  be  sure  Bent 
is  at  the  bottom  of  this  spying  business.  When  I 
left  Price's  camp  he  was  still  there,  but  he  must  have 
left  soon  after  I  did.  He  beat  me  to  the  city  by 
three  or  four  days,  because  I  had  to  go  out  of  my 
way  to  deliver  messages." 

"  But  I  am  still  in  the  dark  as  to  the  reason  for 
this  spying  on  me,"  said  Lawrence. 

"  I  am  coming  to  that,"  answered  Guilford. 
"  Just  as  I  was  starting  on  my  trip  here  and  General 
Price  was  giving  me  my  last  instructions,  I  heard  a 
conversation    which    set    me    thinking.      Governor 


24  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

Jackson  and  General  Frost  were  present,  and  in  their 
conversation  I  heard  your  name  mentioned." 

"  My  name  ?  "  exclaimed  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  it  seems  they  had  heard  you  still  lived,  and 
were  lamenting  the  fact.  '  He  did  more  damage 
than  an  army,'  I  heard  Jackson  say.  You  may  be- 
lieve I  opened  my  ears  then.  It  seems  that  in  some 
manner  they  had  found  out  that  it  was  you  who 
had  revealed  their  most  secret  plans  to  Lyon  and 
Blair.  And  they  declared  that  if  it  had  not  been  for 
you  they  would  have  been  successful  in  carrying  the 
State  out  of  the  Union. 

"  *  But/  exclaimed  Frost  with  a  bitter  oath,  '  he 
must  have  had  an  accomplice,  for  young  Middleton, 
as  far  as  I  know  never  played  the  spy.  No,  he  had 
a  confederate,  and  one  who  must  have  been  close  to 
us  to  have  found  out  what  he  did.  I  would  give 
ten  years  of  my  life  to  spot  the  traitor.' 

"  *  How  about  his  uncle  ?'  asked  Jackson. 

"  '  I  know  Alfred  Middleton  well,'  replied  Frost. 
*  And  I  do  not  believe  that  for  a  moment  he  v/ould 
play  a  double  part.  He  is  the  soul  of  honor.  Then 
there  was  information  furnished  of  which  he  knew 
nothing.  The  one  who  gave  the  information  was 
much  closer  to  us  than  Alfred  Middleton,  Gov- 
ernor. There  was  information  furnished  that  I 
thought  not  more  than  half  a  dozen  of  us  knew. 
The  question  is,  who  is  the  traitor? 


SHADOWED  B¥  SPIES  25 

"  General  Price  now  took  a  hand  in  the  conversa- 
tion. '  It  was  not  only  before  Camp  Jackson  was 
taken,  but  afterwards  there  has  been  something 
wrong,'  he  said.  *  Many  of  the  despatches  which  I 
have  sent  only  to  those  I  trust  have  found  their 
way  into  the  hands  of  the  Federals,  and  yet  as  far 
as  I  know  every  one  of  those  despatches  was  de- 
livered to  those  for  whom  they  were  intended.  I 
tell  you  there  is  a  traitor  high  up  somewhere.' 

"  The  General  then  turned  to  me  and  said,  '  Craig, 
you  have  shown  yourself  a  valuable  and  trust- 
worthy agent,  alert  and  cautious.  Not  once  have 
you  failed  me.  Now  in  addition  to  what  I  have 
given  you  I  add  a  delicate  and  difficult  matter. 
\\'hen  you  get  to  St.  Louis  I  want  you  to  spy  on 
young  Middleton.  Get  all  the  help  you  want,  you 
can  find  it.  Do  not  let  him  make  a  move  you  do 
not  know.  In  this  way  you  may  be  able  to  find  out 
wtio  his  confederate  is.' 

"  You  can  imagine  what  my  feelings  were  as  I 
received  this  order,  but  I  bowed,  thanked  him  for 
the  trust  reposed  in  me,  and  said  I  would  do  my  very 
best. 

"  As  I  turned  to  go  out,  I  came  face  to  face  with 
Bent.  You  know  he  is  on  the  staff  of  General  Price 
now.  He  merely  nodded,  and  I  saw  a  look  in  his 
face  which  I  did  not  like,  a  look  which  seemed  to 
say,  '  The  fools  to  trust  him  with  such  a  mission.' 


26  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

For  I  am  sure  he  had  heard  every  word  the  General 
said  to  me. 

"  I  lost  no  time  in  leaving  camp.  For  some  rea- 
son I  felt  the  quicker  I  went  the  better,  and  now  I 
find  Bent  here  in  St.  Louis  doing  the  very  thing 
General  Price  commanded  me  to  do,  only  I  find  he 
is  spying  on  us  both.  I  believe  Bent  had  a  say  after 
I  left,  and  his  being  here  in  St.  Louis  bodes  me  no 
good.  Of  one  thing  you  can  be  assured,  I  shall  not 
put  myself  in  the  hands  of  General  Price  again  un- 
til I  know  how  the  land  lays." 

"  Do  you  think  Benton  would  betray  you  if  he 
had  a  chance  ?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Betray  me !  He  would  rejoice  at  the  opportu- 
nity," replied  Guilford  bitterly.  "  With  me  out  of 
the  way  his  mother  would  get  around  father  and 
see  that  he  inherited  all  the  property.  For  years 
she  has  been  hoping  that  in  some  manner  my  life 
might  be  cut  off.  She  has  told  me  more  than  once 
that  she  did  n't  see  why  I  could  n't  have  died  when 
my  mother  did.  One  reason  she  hated  Susan  so  is 
because  she  took  such  good  care  of  me.  Poor  Su- 
san." Tears  came  into  Guilford's  eyes  and  his 
voice  broke  as  he  pronounced  her  name. 

"  But  Benton  is  now  in  your  power,"  said  Law- 
rence. "  It  is  he  who  has  put  his  head  in  the  lion's 
mouth.  Let  me  denounce  him  as  a  spy,  and  you 
know  what  will  follow." 


SHADOWED  B¥  SPIES  27 

Guilford  shuddered.  "  As  much  as  I  hate  him, 
I  would  not  want  you  to  do  that,"  he  answered. 

"  But  he  is  a  spy.  It  is  my  duty  to  denounce  him. 
If  the  provost  marshal  knew  he  was  here,  he  would 
not  rest  a  moment  before  he  would  have  him 
arrested." 

"  As  to  his  being  a  spy,"  said  Guilford,  "  St. 
Louis  is  full  of  spies.  All  the  harni  Bent  can  do  is 
to  myself." 

"  Do  you  think  Benton  has  any  suspicions  you 
are  the  one  who  gave  me  my  infomiation?  "  asked 
Lawrence. 

"  He  must,  or  he  would  not  have  followed  me  so 
closely,  and  set  his  horde  of  spies  watching  you. 
The  least  word  of  his  to  Price  would  have  made  the 
General  suspicious." 

Both  of  the  boys  were  silent  for  a  moment,  and 
then  Lawrence  said,  "  Guilford,  I  saw  Blair  to-day. 
and  I  told  him  I  had  seen  you  and  had  an  engage- 
ment to  meet  you  this  evening.  He  was  more  than 
pleased  and  told  me  to  see  him  in  the  morning,  and 
if  possible  bring  you.  If  it  were  not  prudent  for 
you  to  come,  to  learn  all  I  could  from  you,  and  tell 
him.  Guilford,  how  can  we  deceixe  him?  He 
should,  must  know  all." 

"  Then  Bent  —  "  Guilford  stopped  abruptly. 

"Then  what?"  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Oh.  nothing,  I  was  thinking.     I  reckon  you  are 


28  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

right,  Lawrence.  Yes,  Blair  will  have  to  be  told. 
But  something  may  happen  before  morning.  I  had 
best  go  now.  I  will  see  you  early  in  the  morning 
and  we  will  lay  our  plans." 

"  Do  n't  go  yet,"  said  Lawrence.  "  Tell  me  some- 
thing about  yourself.  Remember  I  have  not  seen 
you  since  before  the  battle  of  Wilson  Creek.  I  got 
the  message  you  dropped  the  day  before  the  battle 
and  gave  it  to  Lyon.  He  resolved  to  do  the  at- 
tacking, and  you  know  the  result." 

"  Yes,  and  if  Lyon  had  not  been  killed,  I  believe 
he  would  have  won  a  great  victory.  You  actually 
had  McCulloch  and  Price  whipped  when  the  battle 
ended.  A  few  well  directed  shells  would  have 
stampeded  the  whole  army.  But,  say,  what  a  figure 
Sigel  cut.     I  am  disappointed  in  the  man." 

"  So  am  I,"  said  Lawrence,  "  grievously  disap- 
pointed. He  has  done  a  noble  work,  but  as  a  gen- 
eral he  failed  lamentably.     But  go  on." 

"  After  the  withdrawal  of  your  force  from  the 
field,  I  heard  Bent  boasting  he  had  killed  you,  killed 
you  in  the  act  of  saving  your  cousin.  For  a  mo- 
ment I  lost  my  head  and  was  about  to  spring  on  him 
and  kill  him  regardless  of  consequences.  But  I  con- 
trolled myself  by  a  powerful  effort  and  turned  away. 
But  I  believe  Bent  began  to  suspect  me  then  and 
there. 

"  Edward,  Randolph  Hamilton  and  myself  thor- 


SHADOWED  BT  SPIES  29 

oughly  searched  the  field,  but  not  finding  your  dead 
body,  we  began  to  hope  you  had  only  been  wounded 
instead  of  being  killed.  Such  I  am  rejoiced  to  find 
was  the  case. 

"  After  the  battle  General  Price  was  crazy  to  pur- 
sue your  retreating  army,  but  IMcCuUoch  would  not 
hear  of  it.  It  was  fortunate  for  you  that  Price  did 
not  have  his  way,  for  I  believe  if  there  had  been  a 
vigorous  pursuit  your  whole  army  would  have 
been  captured.  But  that  did  not  happen,  thanks  to 
McCulloch. 

"  I  was  then  sent  north  with  despatches  and  let- 
ters from  General  Price,  saying  he  was  to  make  a 
move  as  far  north  as  the  Missouri  River. 

"  I  warned  the  Federal  generals,  but  they  gave 
little  heed  or  were  too  slow,  and  you  know  the  re- 
sult. Price  captured  Lexington  and  is  now  slowly 
falling  back  on  Springfield.  General  Fremont  is  no 
good.    He  means  well  and  that  is  the  best  I  can  say. 

"  There  was  a  little  general  in  command  at  Jef- 
ferson City  that  did  things.  He  brought  order  out 
of  chaos  in  a  short  time.  If  he  had  been  left  there 
I  believe  he  would  have  captured  Price  and  his  army 
before  they  could  have  got  back,  but  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Cairo,  I  believe.    His  name  is  Grant." 

"  I  met  him  to-day,"  exclaimed  Lawrence.  ''Blair 
speaks  highly  of  him.  He  befriended  me  when  I 
first  landed  in  St.  Louis,  a  friendless,  homeless  boy." 


30  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDQE 

"  Well,  I  believe  if  he  was  in  Fremont's  place 
there  would  be  things  doing.  But  I  have  already 
talked  too  long,  I  must  be  going.  I  have  much  to 
think  of  before  I  see  you  again." 

"Are  you  not  afraid  you  will  be  shadowed?" 
asked  Lawrence. 

"  I  trust  such  will  be  the  case,"  answered  Guil- 
ford, much  to  Lawrence's  surprise. 

Lawrence  walked  to  the  gate  to  let  him  out.  As 
he  did  so  Guilford  whispered,  "  If  nothing  happens 
to-night,  and  you  do  not  hear  from  me  in  the  morn- 
ing before  you  meet  Blair  tell  him  to  hold  his  hand. 
It  is  much  more  important  that  I  should  find  out 
just  what  Benton  is  up  to,  than  that  he  should  be 
arrested  as  a  spy." 

The  darkness  swallowed  Guilford  up,  but  as  it 
did  so,  Lawrence  was  certain  he  heard  a  rustling 
close  to  the  wall  and  then  stealthy  footsteps  follow- 
ing after  Guilford.  His  first  impulse  was  to  follow, 
but  he  muttered,  "  No,  it  is  better  as  it  is."  And 
locking  the  gate  he  retired  to  the  house  and  to  bed, 
but  not  to  sleep.  He  lay  awake  a  long  time  think- 
ing of  Guilford  and  of  the  future. 


CHAPTER  III 

UNDER   WHICH    FLAG? 

HAD  Guilford  Craig  known  what  had  tran- 
spired at  the  headquarters  of  General  Price 
after  he  left  he  would  have  had  good  rea- 
son for  his  fears.  Well  for  him  he  got  away  as 
soon  as  he  did,  or  his  career  might  have  ended  then 
and  there  by  his  being  executed  as  a  traitor. 

His  step-brother  glowered  at  him  as  he  passed 
out,  and  then  turned  and  saluted  the  General. 

"Ah!  here  is  Lieutenant  Shelley,"  said  the  Gen- 
eral. "  Perhaps  he  can  throw  some  light  on  the 
subject,  as  I  understand  he  knows  Middleton  well. 
In  fact.  Shelley,  if  you  had  shot  a  little  better,  there 
would  be  no  Lieutenant  Middleton  to  discuss  now." 

"  Curse  him,"  replied  Benton.  "  I  thought  I  had 
finished  him.  but  I  will  try  to  shoot  straighter  next 
time.  But  what  of  him?  What  has  he  been  doing 
now?" 

"  Sit  down.  Lieutenant,  and  we  will  tell  you.  As 
far  as  we  know  he  has  been  doing  nothing,  lately. 
Your  shot  has  kept  him  quiet  for  the  past  two 
months,  but  we  have  received  positive  proof  that  it 

31 


32  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

was  he  who  furnished  Lyon  and  Blair  with  the  in- 
formation which  made  all  our  plans  to  take  Mis- 
souri out  of  the  Union  fail." 

"  Yes,"  spoke  up  Frost,  "  in  some  manner  he  be- 
came possessed  of  our  most  carefully  guarded  plans. 
How  did  he  get  them?  The  General  and  I  have 
come  to  the  conclusion  he  must  have  had  a  confed- 
erate, one  very  close  to  us.  You  attended  the  same 
school  that  he  did,  did  you  not?  " 

"  Yes." 

"Who  were  his  closest  chums?" 

"  Well,  I  must  say,"  answered  Benton,  "  he  was 
always  a  popular  boy.  One  well  I'ked  by  all  of  us, 
until  we  found  out  he  was  a  Lincolnite,  then  of 
course  we  cut  him.  I  was  one  of  the  first  to  find 
out  he  was  a  traitor  to  the  South,  and  I  accused  him 
of  it  and  we  quarrelled.  Since  that  time  we  have 
been  sworn  enemies." 

"  At  that  time  did  any  of  the  boys  side  with  Mid- 
dleton?"  asked  General  Price. 

"  At  first,  yes,  because  they  would  not  believe  he 
was  a  Lincolnite;  when  they  found  out,  no." 

"  Do  you  believe  that  Middleton  himself  could 
have  found  out  all  that  he  did?"  asked  Frost. 

"  Candidly  no.  He  must  have  had  a  confeder- 
ate," was  the  answer. 

"  Then  it  remains  for  us  to  find  the  traitor,"  ex- 
claimed Frost,  bringing  his  fist  down  on  the  table 


UN  DEE  WHICH  FLAG.'  33 

with  a  tremendous  whack.  "  And  we  have  already 
begun  an  investigation  which  may  result  in  unrav- 
elling the  mystery." 

"  Pardon  me,"  replied  Benton,  "  but  just  as  I 
came  in  I  met  my  step-brother.  Guilford  Craig,  go- 
ing out,  and  from  what  General  Price  said  I  imag- 
ine he  was  sent  on  a  secret  mission  of  trying  to 
find  out  the  source  of  Lawrence  Middleton's  in- 
formation." 

"  Yes,"  answered  General  Price,  "  your  step- 
brother has  proven  one  of  my  most  valuable  spies, 
especially  in  getting  messages  back  to  our  friends  in 
the  State.     He  never  fails  to  deliver  them." 

"  Can  you  trust  me  with  the  full  details  of  what 
you  propose  my  step-brother  shall  do?  Believe  me, 
this  is  no  idle  question  asked  out  of  mere  curios- 
ity," said  Benton. 

"  There  is  no  reason  but  that  we  can  trust  you," 
answered  General  Price,  and  he  gave  the  full  de- 
tails of  the  plans  as  outlined  to  Guilford. 

Benton  remained  silent  for  some  tim.e.  His  face 
twitched,  and  he  seemed  to  be  struggling  with  some 
great  emotion.  At  length  he  raised  his  eyes  and 
said  ver\'  slowly  as  if  each  word  were  an  ef- 
fort. "  \\'as  —  it  —  wise  — to  —  send  —  my  — 
step-brother  —  on  —  such  —  a  —  mission  ?  " 

"  What !  "  exclaimed  General  Price  in  astonish- 
ment. 


34  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIBGE 

"  What!  "  echoed  General  Frost,  his  face  pale  as 
ashes. 

"  You  do  n't  mean  to  charge  your  step-brother 
with  this  infamous  crime,  do  you?"  asked  General 
Price.     "  He  is  my  most  trusted  spy." 

"  And  he  was  my  orderly  at  Camp  Jackson,"  ex- 
claimed Frost. 

"  Which  means  that  he  had  unusual  opportuni- 
ties for  gaining  information,"  answered  Benton. 

The  two  generals  could  only  stare  at  each  other. 
Then  Price  cried  out  in  fury,  "If  you  knew  this 
why  did  you  not  inform  me?  If  I  find  out  Guil- 
ford Craig  is  a  traitor,  and  you  knew  or  even  sus- 
pected it  and  kept  silent,  I  will  hang  you  with  him." 

Benton  turned  pale.  He  realized  he  might  have 
been  too  abrupt.  Collecting  himself,  he  said,  "  Gen- 
eral, if  my  death  will  bring  victory  to  our  beloved 
cause  hang  me  at  once.  But  do  you  realize  \Vhat  a 
serious  thing  it  would  be  for  me  to  cast  suspicion 
on  my  step-brother,  if  I  had  not,  at  least,  some 
evidence?  " 

"  Then  you  have  no  evidence  that  he  Is  a 
traitor?" 

"  Not  the  slightest.  It  is  only  a  suspicion  that 
has  been  growing  in  my  mind  since  the  battle  at 
Oak  Hill.  That  suspicion  was  strengthened  just 
now,  as  he  looked  at  me  as  he  passed  out." 

"  Explain  yourself,  what  did  you  see  in  his  face 


UNDER  WHICH  FLAG?  35 

as  he  went  out?"  exclaimed  Price  a  little  petu- 
lantly. 

"  A  look  of  exultation,  of  cunning,  of  devilish- 
ness,  I  might  say." 

''  So  you  base  your  suspicions  on  a  mere  look,  do 
you?     Nothing  more  tangible?" 

"  Nothing  more  at  present;  but  gentlemen,  believe 
me,  nothing  would  have  induced  me  to  say  what  I 
have,  if  I  had  not  learned  that  you  had  sent  Guil- 
ford on  an  important  mission  which  would  but  play 
into  his  hands,  if  my  suspicions  are  correct.  May 
God  grant  they  are  unfounded,  although  he  and  I 
are  in  a  certain  sense  enemies,  at  least  not  friends." 

The  generals  looked  at  each  other.  The  same 
thought  had  come  to  both.  Was  Benton  Shelley 
making  a  charge  against  his  step-brother  on  ac- 
count of  enmity? 

"  Perhaps  I  had  better  make  plain  what  I  meant 
by  being  enemies,"  continued  Benton.  "  We  have 
not  quarrelled  since  we  were  small  boys.  My 
mother  married  Mr.  Craig  when  Guilford  was  about 
six  years  old.  His  mother  had  died  when  he  was  a 
mere  infant,  and  up  to  the  time  of  my  mother's 
marriage  he  had  been  cared  for  by  a  black  mammy. 
He  was  a  puny,  sickly  child  and  never  cared  to 
play  with  other  children.  He  was  also  of  a  sly 
secretive  nature.  When  my  mother  married  Mr. 
Craig,  Guilford's  mammy  conceived  the  idea  that  I 


36  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

had  come  into  the  family  to  supplant  "  her  honey," 
as  she  called  Guilford,  and  her  conduct  became  so 
intolerable  that  Mr,  Craig  was  forced  to  sell  her, 
Guilford's  fury,  young  as  he  was,  knew  no  bounds. 
He  blamed  mother  and  me  for  his  mammy  being 
sold  and  from  that  time  I  know  he  has  hated  us 
both  with  his  entire  nature.  As  he  grew  older  I 
noticed  he  grew  more  sly  and  secretive.  When  not 
in  school  he  passed  most  of  his  time  in  reading.  He 
seemed  to  be  very  fond  of  reading  stories  of  in- 
trigue or  adventure.  He  never  took  any  interest 
in  our  poKtical  discussions,  until  there  was  talk  of 
war,  and  then  it  was  as  if  he  had  been  suddenly 
transformed.  No  one  could  surpass  him  in  the  de- 
nunciation of  the  hated  Yankees. 

"  You  know  how  active  he  was.  General,"  said 
Benton,  turning  to  Frost,  "  before  and  at  Camp 
Jackson," 

Frost  nodded  and  said,  "  Go  on," 

"  After  the  capture  of  Camp  Jackson,"  continued 
Benton,  "  Guilford  signified  his  intention  of  becom- 
ing a  spy,  and  we  all  opposed  him.  His  father  told 
him  there  was  neither  honor  nor  glory  in  it,  and 
probably  the  end  would  be  a  dishonored  death.  But 
he  was  determined.  Said  it  did  him  more  good  to 
fool  a  Yankee  than  it  did  to  kill  him.  It  was  not 
until  after  the  battle  of  Oak  Hill  that  I  had  the  least 
suspicion  he  was  acting  a  part.     Some  of  the  boys 


rXDEE  WHICH  FLAG?  37 

were  congratulating  me  on  the  charge  I  made  which 
resulted  in  the  rescue  of  Lieutenant  Edward  Mid- 
dleton.  and  the  death  of  Lawrence  Middleton,  sup- 
posedly by  my  hand.  Guilford  just  then  came  up, 
and  when  he  heard  I  had  slain  that  arch  traitor  in 
honorable  combat,  a  look  of  tigerish  ferocity  came 
in  his  face,  and  I  thought  he  was  going  to  spring 
on  me  and  try  to  throttle  me.  But  he  pulled  him- 
self together,  and  walked  away  without  saying  a 
word.  Then  of  all  the  boys  in  school  I  remembered 
Guilford  was  the  only  one  that  had  never  denounced 
Lawrence  Middleton  for  turning  traitor  to  the  South, 
and  it  set  me  thinking.  Just  now  when  I  passed 
him  and  saw  the  look  of  triumph  on  his  face  —  a 
look  I  cannot  explain,  but  which  seemed  to  say,  'I 
will  yet  tramp  you  and  all  that  you  love  into  hell,' 
I  felt  that  slight  as  the  grounds  are  in  which  my 
suspicions  rest,  it  was  my  duty  to  let  you  know. 
This  I  will  say  of  Guilford,  he  is  as  sly  and  cunning 
as  the  devil." 

Benton  Shelley  had  succeeded  in  presenting  a 
good  case,  holding  back  his  own  deplorable  conduct, 
and  the  part  he  had  in  getting  rid  of  Guilford's 
mammy. 

After  Benton  had  finished,  General  Price  called 
an  orderly,  spoke  a  few  words,  and  then  he.  Gov- 
ernor Jackson  and  General  Frost  held  a  whispered 
consultation. 


38  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

In  a  few  minutes  the  orderly  returned  and  re- 
ported that  Guilford  Craig  had  already  gone;  that 
he  had  told  the  Officer  of  the  Day  that  he  had  im- 
portant despatches  to  deliver,  and  to  give  him  the 
swiftest  horse  in  camp. 

General  Price  frowned.  At  any  other  time  he 
would  have  complimented  Guilford  on  his  prompt- 
ness. Turning  to  Benton,  he  said,  "  I  thank  you, 
Lieutenant,  for  telling  us  your  suspicions.  Yet  on 
the  slight  evidence  you  present,  1  cannot  say  that 
Guilford  is  a  traitor.  But  it  is  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance to  us  that  we  know  above  all  suspicion 
under  which  flag  he  trains.  He  now  carries  des- 
patches which  may  prove  my  ruin  if  they  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.     What  do  you  suggest?  " 

Benton  remained  in  deep  thought  for  a  moment, 
and  then  said,  "  General,  I  have  a  request  to  make." 

"What  is  it?"  asked  the  general. 

"  That  you  let  me  follow  Guilford  to  St.  Louis, 
and  see  that  he  is  faithfully  following  out  your  in- 
structions. It  will  not  take  long  to  decide  under 
which  flag  he  serves." 

"  Lieutenant,  do  you  know  what  you  ask  ?  "  ex- 
claimed the  General.  "If  recognized  you  would  be 
arrested,  tried  and  executed  as  a  spy." 

"  I  am  well  aware  of  that,"  replied  Benton,  "  but 
you  must  remember  that  once  in  St.  Louis  I  will  be 
among  friends.     Friends  that  will  conceal  me,  carry 


UNDER  WHICH  FLAG?  39 

out  my  wishes  and  if  need  be  defend  me  at  the  peril 
of  their  lives.  I  am  more  than  anxious  to  make  the 
trial." 

"  Go,  then,"  replied  the  General.  "  I  sincerely 
hope  your  suspicions  will  prove  groundless;  but 
whatever  your  report  is,  when  you  return,  you  will 
be  Captain,  not  Lieutenant  Shelley." 

Benton  bowed  low.  "  How  can  I  thank  you, 
General,"  he  exclaimed.  "  I  only  hope  I  shall  merit 
the  honor:  and  here  let  me  say,  none  will  rejoice 
more  than  I  if  I  find  Guilford  faithfully  carrying 
out  your  orders,  and  that  my  suspicions  are 
groundless." 

But  in  his  heart  of  hearts  Benton  Shelley,  above 
all  things,  wished  to  prove  his  step-brother  a  traitor. 
It  would  gratify  his  secret  hatred  of  years,  and  mean 
honor  and  advancement  in  the  army. 

It  was  easy  work  for  Benton  Shelley  to  make  his 
way  to  St.  Louis.  He  avoided  the  places  held  by 
the  Federals,  and  was  among  friends  all  the  way. 
When  a  few  miles  from  the  city  he  left  his  horse 
with  a  well  known  secessionist  to  be  concealed  and 
cared  for  until  his  return.  Among  the  farmers  liv- 
ing near  St.  Louis  there  were  any  number  who  pro- 
fessed loyalty,  but  at  heart  were  rank  secessionists. 
With  one  of  these.  Benton,  disguised  as  a  young 
farmer,  had  no  trouble  in  entering  the  city.  Present- 
ing himself  at  the  rear  door  of  his  step-father's  resi- 


40  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIUGE 

dence  he  asked  if  they  needed  any  fresh  vegetables; 
and  when  told  to  begone,  he  gave  the  servant  a  card 
demanding  that  she  take  it  to  her  mistress  at  once. 

Struck  by  his  tone  of  authority  the  servant 
obeyed,  and  in  a  moment  came  hurrying  back  with 
the  message  that  her  mistress  would  see  him  imme- 
diately. He  was  led  into  the  library  where  the 
servant  was  dismissed  by  Mrs.  Craig,  and  in  a  mo- 
ment mother  and  son  were  in  each  other's  arms. 

As  soon  as  Mrs.  Craig  could  command  her  voice, 
she  cried  sobbing,  "  Oh,  Benton,  Benton,  I  am  glad 
to  see  you.  But  why  did  you  come?  Why  did 
you  come  ?  " 

"  Glad  to  see  me,  mother,  and  yet  sorry  that  I 
came.    Why,  mother?  " 

"  The  danger,  Benton,  the  danger.  What  if  you 
should  be  discovered?"  and  Mrs.  Craig  shuddered 
at  the  thought. 

"  Be  careful,  mother,  and  there  will  be  no  danger. 
You  know  there  are  hundreds  of  places  in  St.  Louis 
where  I  can  hide.  At  present  it  is  best  that  father 
[Benton  called  Mr.  Craig  father]  should  not  know 
I  am  here.  I  shall  see  you  often,  but  I  shall  stay 
at  one  of  the  secret  places  of  the  boys." 

"  But,  Benton,  why  did  you  come  ?  Why  incur 
this  danger?    I  fear,  I  fear." 

Benton  told  his  mother  all  and  then  asked  if 
Guilford  was  in  the  city. 


UXDER  WHICH  FLAG.'  41 

"  No,"  was  the  answer.  "  He  is  here  very  httle. 
Absent  weeks  at  a  time.  His  father  is  much  dis- 
tressed. He  says  he  expects  to  hear  every  day  that 
Guilford  has  been  arrested  by  the  Yankees,  and  ex- 
ecuted as  a  spy." 

''  If  he  is  executed,  I  am  thinking  it  will  be  by 
Price  and  not  by  Fremont,"  said  Benton. 

"  It  can't  be  possible  that  Guilford  can  be  a 
Yankee  spy,"  said  Mrs.  Craig.  "  I  can  believe  most 
anything  of  him,  but  not  that." 

"  Mother,  have  you  not  often  heard  him  say  he 
hated  slaver}'?  Remember  how  sly  and  cunning  he 
is.     Remember  that  he  hates  us  both." 

"  But  the  disgrace,  Benton.  The  disgrace.  It 
would  kill  his  father." 

"  His  father  has  never  shown  any  great  interest 
in  him,"  replied  Benton  dryly.  "  With  him  out  of 
the  way  —  " 

"  Benton,  do  n't  say  that,"  cried  his  mother. 
"  I  can't  bear  it.  If  he  were  killed  in  battle  I  would 
shed  no  tears,  but  this  is  awful.  Why  did  you  en- 
list in  such  a  thing,  Benton?  " 

Mrs.  Craig  was  not  an  entirely  bad  woman.  She 
was  selfish  and  cruel,  but  not  criminal. 

"  Mother,  listen,"  said  Benton.  "  If  Guilford  is 
innocent  no  harm  will  come.  If  he  is  guilty  he  de- 
serves to  pay  the  penalty  of  his  crime.  But  for  him, 
or  for  some  other  person,  Missouri  would  now  be 


42  THE  SCOUT  OF  FEA  RIDGE 

safely  out  of  the  accursed  Union.  It  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  success  of  our  cause  that  this  per- 
son, this  infamous  traitor  be  caught.  Think  of  the 
honor  that  will  come  to  me,  if  I  am  successful.  Gen- 
eral Price  has  already  promised  me  a  captaincy.  If 
I  succeed  in  unravelling  this  mystery,  when  the  war 
is  over  and  the  South  is  free,  I  may  come  back  a 
general.  Who  knows,  mother."  And  Benton  drew 
himself  proudly  up. 

The  mother  through  her  tears  looked  fondly  upon 
him.  "  I  hope  you  will  succeed,  Benton.  But  I 
trust  you  will  find  that  Guilford  is  not  the  guilty 
party.  I  cannot  bear  the  thought  that  you  should 
be  the  one  who  would  send  my  husband's  son  to  the 
gallows." 

"  He  is  none  of  our  breed,"  said  Benton  coldly. 
"  It  is  my  duty  to  find  the  traitor,  whoever  he  may 
be,  and  I  shall  find  him  if  I  can." 

"  Benton,  I  shall  not  sleep  a  wink  as  long  as  you 
are  in  the  city,"  sobbed  his  mother  wringing  her 
hands.  "  Do  give  this  up  and  get  away  as  soon  as 
you  can." 

"  Mother,  I  w^ould  be  everlastingly  disgraced  if 
I  did.  No,  the  die  is  cast.  I  must  go  and  lay  my 
plans.  I  will  see  you  again  to-morrow,  if  possible. 
Until  then  good-bye."    He  kissed  her  and  was  gone. 

Mrs.  Craig  sat  a  long  time  a  prey  to  her  thoughts 
after  Benton  had  left.     A  terror  that  he  might  be 


UNDER  WHICH  FLAG?  43 

detected  gripped  her  heart.  And  Guilford  —  many 
a  time  she  had  wished  him  dead,  that  her  son  might 
inherit  the  property;  but  now  to  have  it  come  this 
way !  She  shuddered  and  prayed  he  might  be  inno- 
cent. She  thought  of  her  cruelty,  of  Guilford's 
agony  over  the  whipping  and  selling  of  his  mammy. 
Perhaps  she  had  helped  make  him  what  he  was. 
She  tried  to  excuse  herself.  Were  not  slaves  bom 
to  be  whipped  and  sold?  But  the  iron  had  entered 
her  soul. 

There  were  yet  in  St.  Louis  quite  a  number  of 
Frost's  old  State  militia  who  had  not  gone  to  join 
Price's  army.  Benton  hunted  up  one  by  the  name 
of  Jerry  Alcorn.  He  had  been  a  member  of  the 
police  force,  as  well  as  one  of  Frost's  most  valuable 
lieutenants.  To  Jerry  Benton  confided  his  mission, 
merely  keeping  back  that  it  was  his  step-brother  he 
suspected.  It  would  be  time  enough  for  them  to 
know  that  if  his  suspicions  proved  correct. 

Jerry  entered  into  the  plot  with  his  w^hole  heart. 
Benton  was  to  keep  concealed,  while  he  would  or- 
ganize a  gang  to  shadow^  every  movement  of  Law- 
rence. Jerry  did  his  work  well,  and  soon  had  a 
force  of  a  dozen  enthusiastic  daring  young  fellows. 
Three  or  four  of  them  lived  close  to  Lawrence's 
uncle,  so  they  could  watch  from  their  own  homes 
without  fear  of  detection. 

For  four  days  Lawrence  had  been  watched  and 


44  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

nothing  had  been  discovered.  Then  Guilford  Craig 
put  in  an  appearance.  He  brought  many  letters 
from  the  boys  in  Price's  army  to  friends  and  rela- 
tives in  St.  Louis.  One  was  from  Benton  to  his 
mother.  Mrs.  Craig  took  the  letter  with  trembling 
hands.  Could  this  boy  who  was  risking  so  much 
be  a  traitor? 

Guilford  in  the  eyes  of  the  aristocratic  Southern 
element  of  St.  Louis  was  looked  upon  as  a  hero. 
Benton  found  this  out,  and  knew  he  must  be  careful. 
Not  a  lisp  of  whom  he  expected  to  catch.  He  cau- 
tioned his  mother  to  be  discreet. 

Guilford  was  no  sooner  in  the  city  than  Benton 
knew  it.  He  was  exultant.  Now  he  would  soon 
know.  He  cautioned  Jerry  to  be  unusually  watch- 
ful. Not  the  slightest  movement  of  Lawrence 
must  go  unobserved. 

So  it  was  that  the  morning  that  Lawrence  went 
to  General  Fremont's  headquarters  and  met  Guil" 
ford  Craig,  a  spy  was  close  by  his  side.  The  spy 
noticed  that  the  two  did  not  speak  as  they  passed, 
but  Guilford  had  made  a  slight  movement  as  if  he 
had  pressed  something  in  Lawrence's  hand.  The 
spy  was  a  young  man  called  Dickey  Holbrook.  Law- 
rence Middleton  did  not  know  him,  but  Guilford 
did. 

"  Hello,  Dickey,"  said  Guilford. 

"Hello,  Guilford,  you  back?     Glad  to  see  you. 


UN  DEE  WHICH  FLAG?  45 

Would  like  to  talk  to  you,  but  I  am  in  a  big  hurry 
now.     Will  see  you  again." 

Guilford  looked  after  him  suspiciously.  Dicky 
was  a  great  talker  and  Guilford  thought  he  would 
have  difficulty  in  getting  away  from  him.  "  Never 
knew  him  to  refuse  to  talk  before,"  he  muttered. 

A  moment  afterwards  Dickey  noticed  that  Law- 
rence was  looking  at  a  scrap  of  paper.  After  glanc- 
ing at  it  a  moment  he  put  it  in  his  mouth  and 
chewed  it  up. 

"  Ah !  it  must  be  something  secret,"  thought  Dickey. 

It  was  impossible  for  Dickey  to  follow  Lawrence 
into  the  Headquarters  of  General  Fremont  so  he 
had  to  wait  until  Lawrenca  came  out.  But  the  rest 
of  the  day  until  evening  gave  no  results. 

When  Dickey  reported  he  said,  "Of  course  it 
could  not  have  been  Guilford  who  gave  it  to  him, 
but  the  movement  was  a  little  suspicious." 

A  look  of  triumph  came  over  Benton's  face.  He 
was  on  the  right  track.  But  he  remarked,  "  I  can- 
not conceive  of  Guilford  being  a  traitor,  but  I 
should  not  spare  even  him  if  guilty.  Thank  you, 
Dickey,  for  your  close  observation."  He  gave 
orders  that  during  the  rest  of  the  evening  they 
must  be  doubly  vigilant. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  UNKNOWN 

ONE  thing  Guilford  Craig  had  made  up  his 
mind  to  do,  and  that  was  in  some  way  to 
warn  Benton  Shelley  of  his  danger  and 
have  him  flee  the  city  before  morning.  He  saw 
how  impossible  it  was  that  Lawrence  should  see 
Blair  and  not  tell  him  of  Benton's  presence.  Law- 
rence was  a  soldier,  his  duty  was  plain. 

All  the  time  Guilford  was  talking  to  Lawrence 
he  was  formulating  a  plan  whereby  Benton  could 
be  warned,  suspicion  turned  from  himself,  and  Ben- 
ton still  be  left  in  the  dark  as  to  who  the  real  traitor 
was.  He  had  little  hope  that  his  former  relations 
with  General  Price  could  ever  be  re-established,  but 
he  would  like  to  leave  the  Confederate  authorities 
guessing. 

Guilford  had  become  convinced  that  even  with  all 
his  caution  he  had  been  shadowed  and  that  the  rear 
of  Mr.  Middleton's  house  was  being  as  carefully 
watched  as  the  front.  When  Lawrence  let  him  in 
at  the  gate,  he  was  sure  he  saw  a  skulking  figure 
across  the  street,  and  he  had  no  doubt  that  as  he 

40 


IRE  UNKNOWN  4T 

and  Lawrence  talked,  someone  was  lying  close  to 
the  wall  trying  to  catch  a  word  of  their  con- 
versation. 

Guilford  believed,  whoever  it  was,  that  his  dis- 
guise would  protect  him,  and  that  the  spy  would 
be  completely  in  the  dark  as  to  who  he  was.  Thus 
thinking  he  was  in  hopes  the  spy  would  follow  him. 
If  he  does,  thought  he,  I  will  give  him  the  surprise 
of  his  life. 

So  when  Guilford  left  Lawrence  he  made  no  ef- 
fort toward  concealment  but  walked  away  as  care- 
less as  if  he  had  not  an  enemy  in  the  world.  As  he 
expected  he  h.ad  not  gone  far  before  some  one  was 
dogging  his  footsteps.  It  was  now  for  him  to  find 
out  who  it  was.  This  Guilford  accomplished  by 
taking  to  a  well  lighted  street. 

"  Good,  it 's  Dickey  Holbrook,"  he  laughed  to 
himself.  "  It  will  not  be  hard  work  to  scare  Dickey 
into  fits.  He  will  tell  everything  he  knows  at  the 
sight  of  a  pistol." 

Holbrook  was  a  blatant  loud-mouthed  fellow,  who, 
to  hear  him  talk  one  would  think  had  a  live  Yankee 
for  breakfast  every  morning,  but  Guilford  knew 
him  to  be  a  coward  at  heart  and  that  it  would  take 
a  corporal's  guard  to  drag  him  into  the  army. 

But  unknown  to  Guilford  there  v>as  another  one 
on  his  trail,  Jerry  Alcorn.  Jerry  kept  some  little  dis- 
tance in  the  rear  of  Holbrook,  and  so  Guilford  did 


48  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

not  notice  him.  This  was  to  result  in  Guilford's  un- 
doing. 

Coming  to  a  favorable  spot,  Guilford  suddenly- 
quickened  his  step  and  turning  a  corner  dashed  into 
an  alley.  Here  he  stood,  waiting,  revolver  in  hand. 
Holbrook,  turning  the  corner  and  not  seeing  Guil- 
ford broke  into  a  run,  lest  he  might  lose  him.  As 
Holbrook  passed  the  alley  he  was  halted  by  a  re- 
volver being  thrust  in  his  face. 

"  Hands  up !  "  demanded  a  deep  voice.  "  A  cry 
and  you  die." 

Dickey's  hands  went  up  with  a  jerk  and  he  stood, 
his  teeth  chattering  with   fear. 

"  Why  do  you  follow  me?  "  asked  Guilford  sav- 
agely. 

"  I  —  I  —  a-am  —  not  —  following  you,"  stam- 
mered Dickey,  his  voice  trembling  so  he  could 
hardly  get  out  the  words. 

"  You  lie.     Another  falsehood  and  I  fire." 

"  Do  n't,  do  n't  fire.  I  will  tell  the  truth.  Before 
God  I  will." 

"You  had  better,  but  not  so  loud.  Now,  who  set 
you  on  my  trail  ?  " 

"  Lieutenant  Shelley.     He  —  " 

"  Enough,  I  know  all,"  broke  in  Guilford.  "  He 
got  you  to  shadow  Lawrence  Middleton  and  then 
everyone  with  whom  he  talked." 

"  Y-e-s.     That 's  it." 


TBE  UNKNOWN  49 

"  Go  tell  Benton  Shelley  that  Lawrence  Middle- 
ton  knows  that  he  is  in  the  city,  and  that  if  he  is 
not  away  before  morning  he  will  be  arrested  and 
hung  as  a  spy.  Tell  him  further  that  he  is  a  fool; 
that  by  his  unjust  suspicions  he  has  placed  his  step- 
brother Guilford  Craig,  in  as  great  danger  as  him- 
self; that  he  has  rendered  it  impossible  for  Craig 
to  maintain  his  present  relations  with  General  Price 
and  thus  has  destroyed  his  usefulness.  Tell  him  it 
is  the  "  Unknown  "  who  warns  him.  That  if  he 
values  his  life  to  flee  the  city  at  once.  Now  go. 
Don't  look  back." 

Dickey  went  down  the  street  like  a  streak. 

Guilford  chuckled  as  he  looked  after  him. 
"  Reckon  that  will  keep  them  guessing  for  a  while. 
Now  for  the  next  act." 

But  the  next  act  was  not  to  go  as  smoothly  for 
Guilford  as  he  thought. 

When  Dickey  Holbrook  turned  the  corner  to  fol- 
low^ Guilford,  Jerry  Alcorn  was  but  a  short  distance 
behind,  but  just  then  a  squad  of  soldiers  came  along 
with  a  prisoner  who  was  hanging  back  and  pro- 
testing loudly  that  they  had  made  a  mistake.  That 
he  was  a  good  Union  man,  and  to  prove  it  he  would 
hurrah  for  Abe  Lincoln. 

"  Prove  nothing,"  growled  the  corporal  in  charge. 

"  I  think  this  will  quicken  your  steps,"  and 
he  pricked  him  with  his  bayonet. 


60  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

The  man  howled  in  pain  and  yelled,  "  Cuss  old 
Abe.     Hurrah  for  Jeff  Davis." 

Jerry  halted  a  moment  to  see  what  would  hap- 
pen. It  was  not  long  he  tarried,  but  long  enough 
to  give  Guilford  time  for  his  meeting  with  Dickey. 
So  when  Jerry  turned  the  corner  all  he  saw  was  the 
dim  figure  of  Dickey  fleeing  down  the  street  and  the 
person  he  was  following  standing  looking  after  him. 

Jerry  stopped  suddenly  for  he  was  almost  cer- 
tain he  caught  the  glint  of  a  revolver  as  the  man 
placed  it  in  his  pocket.  Doing  so,  the  man  turned 
as  if  to  retrace  his  steps,  and  Jerry  had  just  time  to 
dodge  back  around  the  corner  and  into  a  doorway 
when  Guilford  appeared.  He  stood  a  moment  with 
the  light  shining  full  upon  him,  then  with  quickened 
steps  went  up  the  street. 

Jerry  took  a  chew  of  tobacco  In  his  perplexity. 
"  Do  n't  know  just  what  to  do,"  he  said  to  him- 
self. "  I  had  a  good  look  at  the  feller,  and  blamed 
if  I  ever  saw  him  before.  Who  in  the  deuce  is  he, 
and  what  did  he  do  to  Dickey?  They  must  have 
met.  But  Dickey  is  n't  hurt  sure.  So  I  reckon  the 
best  thing  I  can  do  is  to  follow  this  guy.  I«can  hear 
Dickey's  story  afterwards." 

Jerry  followed  carefully  after  Guilford,  but  took 
the  precaution  of  going  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
street.  If  the  man  was  desperate  and  carried  a 
weapon,  he  did  not  care  to  meet  him. 


THE  i\\K\OirN  61 

Guilford,  pleased  with  the  result  of  his  encounter 
\vith  Dickey  Holbrook,  forgot  his  usual  caution,  and 
thinking  he  had  disposed  of  die  person  following 
him,  went  straight  home,  walked  up  the  steps  as  if 
he  owned  the  place,  and  opening  the  door  with  a 
k^y  passed  in. 

For  a  moment  Jerry  stared  in  amazement,  and 
was  on  the  point  of  crying  out,  '*  Thieves  —  rob- 
bers." But  he  stopped  suddenly,  and  gave  a  low- 
whistle.  There  flashed  through  his  mind  the  sus- 
picion that  Guilford  Craig  had  given  Lawrence  the 
note  Stone  saw  him  reading.  Could  Guilford  be 
the  traitor  ?  But  this  was  not  Guilford  Craig !  Still, 
it  was  someone  who  seemed  very  much  at  home  in 
that  house. 

"  Blame  funny,"  he  said  to  himself.  "  I  reckon 
the  best  thing  I  can  do,  is  to  report  this  thing  to 
Benton  at  once.  This  gets  me!  Tracking  the  sus- 
pect to  Amos  Craig's  house." 

Jerry  lost  no  time  in  getting  back  to  the  ren- 
dezvous of  the  gang.  He  found  everyone  in  the 
highest  state  of  excitement.  Dickey,  breathless, 
pale  and  still  trembling  with  fear  had  arrived  and 
made  his  report.  Benton  was  both  dumbfounded 
and  frightened. 

"  And  he  gave  no  name  but  *  The  Unknown,' " 
asked  Benton. 

"  None,  but  he  must  have  been  a  friend  of  vours, 


52  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

for  he  seemed  to  be  greatly  alarmed  about  your 
safety." 

"  And  he  called  me  a  fool." 

"  Yes,  said  that  by  your  suspicions,  you  had  not 
only  imperilled  your  own  life,  but  the  life  of  your 
step-brother  as  well.     What  did  he  mean?" 

"  It  means  that  someone  is  on  to  the  whole  af- 
fair," replied  Benton. 

"  Bent,  you  must  heed  the  warning.  You  must 
go,"  cried  the  whole  company. 

"  To  be  hanged  as  a  spy  is  not  pleasant  to  con- 
template," replied  Benton.  "  If  I  were  to  face  death 
in  battle  I  would  face  it  a  thousand  times  rather 
than  run  away  and  leave  this  mystery  unsolved. 
Curses  on  Lawrence  Middleton.  The  Unknown 
could  not  have  been  he,  could  it?  " 

"  Hardly,"  answered  one  of  the  company. 
"  After  you  came  so  near  killing  him,  I  do  n't  think 
he  would  put  himself  out  to  save  you  from  the 
rope." 

Just  then  Jeriy  came  in  and  looked  around  on 
the  excited  group,  in  astonishment.  Then  seeing 
Dickey,  he  cried,  "Dickey,  you  here?  What  has 
happened?  I  saw  you  running  away  from  that  fel- 
low as  if  death  was  after  you.  Did  he  hold  you 
up?" 

Dickey's  story  was  again  told. 

"  Bent,  I   followed  that   fellow  straight  to  your 


THE  UX KNOWN  53 

father's  house."  said  Jerry,  "'  and  he  opened  the  door 
and  went  in  as  if  he  was  at  home." 

At  this  the  wonder  and  excitement  grew. 

"  The  Unknown  must  be  Guilford,"  cried  some. 

"  It  was  not  Guilford  I  followed,"  replied  Dickey 
stoutly. 

**  The  person  who  went  into  Mr.  Craig's  house 
did  not  look  like  Guilford,"  said  Jerry.  "  But  —  " 
He  stopped  and  looked  at  Benton. 

"  Tell  what  you  think,"  said  Benton. 

"  Boys,  this  thing  is  as  plain  as  the  nose  on  a 
man's  face,"  replied  Jtrry.  "  I  wonder  you  can  not 
see  it.  Guilford  Craig  is  the  traitor  and  the  Un- 
known. The  reason  we  did  not  know  him  was  he 
was  disguised.'' 

There  were  smothered  exclamations  of  surprise 
and  all  cast  curious  glances  at  Benton. 

"  Boys,  I  will  make  a  clean  breast  of  it,"  said 
Benton.  "  I  suspected  Guilford  all  the  time,  and 
General  Price  suspected  him,  so  I  was  sent  to  watch 
him.  I  told  you  I  was  after  a  traitor,  but  did  not 
want  to  tell  you  it  was  my  step-brother  I  suspected  as 
I  might  be  mistaken." 

"  But  the  warning.  Bent,"  put  in  Dickey. 
"  Surely  the  Unknown  did  not  want  you  caught." 

"  Oh  !  Guilford  did  not  want  to  see  Bent 
hanged,"  put  in  Jerry  dryly.  ""You  see  that  would 
bring  disgrace  on  the  family." 


54  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  Disgrace  will  not  stand  in  the  way  of  his  being 
hanged  if  Price  gets  hold  of  him.  Curse  him.  He 
was  always  a  sneaking  whelp,"  snarled  Benton. 

"  What  will  you  do,  Bent?  "  asked  one. 

"  Heed  Guilford's  warning  if  he  values  his  life," 
replied  Jerry.  "  If  Bent  stays  here  until  morning 
Lawrence  Middleton  will  inform  on  him  sure." 

*'  How  in  the  world  did  Middleton  find  out  I  am 
here?"  asked  Benton.  "Even  Mr.  Craig  don't 
know  I  'm  in  the  city.  Is  there  a  traitor  among  you 
boys?" 

"  Easy  there,  Bent,"  replied  Jerry.  "  The  boys  are 
all  right.  Guilford  must  have  told  him,  and  when 
he  found  out  that  Middleton  would  inform  on  you, 
he  gave  you  this  warning.  It 's  plain  to  be  seen 
Guilford  does  not  want  you  hanged,  even  if  you 
would  like  to  see  him  swing.  But  you  are  wasting 
precious  time,  Bent.     Better  get,  and  get  at  once." 

"  It  seems  like  mnning  away,"  replied  Bent  bit- 
terly. 

"  It  is  not.  You  have  found  out  what  you  came 
for,"  said  Jerry. 

"  Yes,  you  must  go,"  exclaimed  the  whole  party  in 
unison. 

"  I  must  see  mother  first,"  was  the  answer. 

"  It 's  dangerous.     Better  not,"  replied  Jerry. 

"  I  will  see  mother  before  I  go  if  hell  stands  in 
my  way,"  cried  Benton  vehemently. 


THE  UNKNOWN  55 

"  Boys,  Benton  is  right."  said  Jerry  quietly.  "  I 
would  do  the  same.  lie  shall  go  and  I  will  go  with 
him.  I  will  sec  that  he  gels  away  all  right.  There 
is  not  an  alley  or  dark  street  in  St.  Louis  that  I  do 
not  know.  More  than  that  I  know  the  station  of 
every  picket  post  around  the  city.  Many  are  the 
boys  I  have  piloted  out  of  the  city  to  join  Price's 
army.  In  two  hours  from  the  time  we  start  I  will 
guarantee  to  have  Bent  safe  and  sound  out  of  this 
Yankee  ridden  city." 

"  Good  for  Jerry,"  was  the  cry. 

"  Well,  boys,  it 's  good-bye  then,"  exclaimed  Bent. 
"  Jerry,  bring  out  that  case  of  champagne  I  had  you 
get.  We  will  drink  a  toast  to  the  confusion  of  the 
Yankee  army  before  I  go." 

The  eyes  of  the  boys  began  to  sparkle.  It  was 
the  first  time  most  of  them  knew  that  Bent  had  a  case 
of  champagne.  The  wine  was  brought  and  Benton 
raising  his  glass  on  high,  cried :  ''  Here  is  death 
to  all  Yankees  and  spies,  particularly  to  Lawrence 
Middleton  and  Guilford  Craig." 

The  toast  was  drunk  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm. 

Then  with  the  wish  that  he  would  see  them  all  in 
Price's  army  before  long,  Benton  took  his  departure 
in  company  with  Jerry.  It  was  now  near  midnight, 
and  Jerry  skilfully  dodged  two  or  three  patrols,  as 
he  did  not  wish  to  be  asked  who  they  were,  anci 
why  out  so  late  at  night. 


56  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

As  they  approached  the  house  of  his  step-father, 
I'cnton  saw  a  Hght  was  still  burning  in  his  mother's 
room.  As  Guilford's  room  was  in  the  rear  of  the 
house,  Benton  could  not  see  whether  there  was  a 
light  in  his  room  or  not.  The  clock  was  just  strik- 
ing midnight  when  Benton  rang  the  door  bell.  This 
he  was  obliged  to  do,  as  he  had  no  night  key,  and  the 
only  way  he  could  get  in  was  to  arouse  the  butler. 
That  sable  individual  came  to  the  door,  grumbling 
and  muttering.     "  Who  's  dar?  "  he  asked. 

"  I,  Benton.  Open  the  door  quickly  and  on  your 
life  make  no  noise,"  whispered  Benton. 

"  Good  Land !  Massa  Benton  heah,'"  gasped  the 
old  servant,  and  with  trembling  hands  he  unlocked 
the  door  and  Jerry  and  Benton  stepped  in. 

The  butler  had  lighted  the  hall  lamp.  "  Put  it 
out,"  ordered  Benton  in  a  low  voice,  "  and  look  here, 
James,  if  you  ever  as  much  as  breathe  to  a  living 
soul,  I  have  been  here  to-night,  I  will  have  you 
skinned.     Do  you  understand  ?  " 

"  Yes,  ]Massa,"  replied  James,  trembling. 

"  Then  stand  here  until  I  come  back.  Let  no  one 
else  in  on  your  life.     Is  your  mistress  up?  " 

"  I  reckon  she  is,"  replied  the  butler.  "  Po'  Missy, 
something  troubles  her  turrible.  She  sleeps  little. 
She  cries.  She  wrings  her  hands.  Must  be  'caus 
yo',  Marse  Bent,  be  in  the  war,  and  she  afraid  yo' 
git  killed." 


TEE  UNKNOWN  57 

"  Shut  up,  you  black  imp,  and  do  as  you  are  told," 
£,^ro\\lcd  Benton,  as  he  led  the  way  to  the  library. 

"  Stay  here,"  he  said  to  Jerry,  "  until  I  have  my 
interview  with  mother.  I  will  make  it  as  brief  as 
possible." 

*'  See  that  you  do,"  said  Jerry  as  he  stumbled  to 
a  chair.  "  Time  is  precious." 

Benton  went  up  to  his  mother's  room  and  tapped 
gently  on  the  door. 

''  Who  is  there?  "  asked  an  excited  voice. 

'*  Benton,  mother,  I  have  come  to  say  farewell." 

The  door  opened  and  the  mother  was  enfolded  in 
her  son's  arms. 

"  Are  you  really  going,  Benton?  "  she  whispered. 

"  Yes,  mother,  I  have  found  out  who  the  traitor 
is.  But  the  Yankees  have  learned  I  am  here,  and  I 
must  get  away." 

"  Benton,  Benton,  go  at  once.  Do  n't  stay  a  mo- 
ment," cried  his  mother.  "  Oh!  what  if  you  should 
be  caught." 

"  No  danger,  mother,  I  will  be  away  safely  be- 
fore morning.  This  I  must  tell  you.  You  have  a 
viper  in  the  house.     Guilford  Craig  is  the  traitor." 

"  Guilford  —  the  —  traitor."  The  words  came 
slowly  from  her  lips.     "  xA.re  you  sure,  Benton  ?  " 

"  Perfectly  sure.  He  will  hang  higher  than 
Haman,  if  Price  gets  hold  of  him.  I  v^'ould  hang 
him  to-night  if  I  could." 


58  THE  SVOUT  OF  PEA  UIDOE 

"  Oh,  Benton,  think  of  the  disgrace.  Think  of 
his  father.     It  would  kill  him." 

"  Disgrace !  "  replied  Benton  with  a  sneer.  "  Can 
any  disgrace  be  as  black  and  damning  as  he  has 
already  brought  on  his  father's  name  ?  Spy  and 
traitor  that  he  is.  Thank  God !  He  is  no  kin  of 
mine."  In  his  excitement  Benton  had  raised  his 
voice. 

"  Hush,  I  believe  he  is  in,"  said  his  mother.  "  He 
may  hear  you.  He  only  came  home  yesterday." 

"  Hear  me?  I  wish  he  would,"  stormed  Benton. 
"  I  would  like  to  tell  him  to  his  face  what  a  black- 
hearted traitor  he  is." 

Then  the  wild  desire  seized  Benton  to  see  Guil- 
ford and  taunt  him  with  his  treachery. 

From  what  Dickey  Holbrook  had  reported  he 
knew  that  Guilford  would  never  again  knowingly 
place  himself  in  the  power  of  General  Price.  This 
would  be  his  only  chance  of  meeting  him  face  to 
face.  He  would  wither  him  with  his  curses.  He 
looked  upon  Guilford  as  being  sly,  crafty,  and  treach- 
erous, but  not  possessing  real  courage,  and  in  his 
own  mind  he  saw  him  cowering  before  him,  a  shiv- 
ering wretch. 

Forgetting  that  he  might  be  imperilling  his  own 
life,  he  said,  "  Mother,  I  am  going  to  see  Guilford. 
I  am  going  to  wring  from  his  own  lips  the  confes- 
sion that  he  is  a  traitor." 


THE  UNKNOWN  59 

"  Do  n't,  do  n't."  cried  his  mother  dinging  to  him. 
"  lie  may  kill  you." 

"Kill  mc!  Bosh!  1  will  make  him  cringe  like  a 
whipped  puppy.  I  want  to  let  him  know  that  there 
are  others  as  crafty  as  he  is,  and  that  he  has  been 
beaten  at  his  own  game.  He  thinks  he  has  me 
fooled.  I  want  to  open  his  eyes.  The  Unknown,  in- 
deed!" 

"  I  beg  of  you  not  to  go,  Benton,"  pleaded  his 
mother  weeping  bitterly.  "  You  have  no  time.  You 
say  you  must  be  out  of  the  city  before  morning. 
Oh,  Benton,  think  of  the  danger  of  delay." 

"  It  will  not  take  long,  mother.  I  must  have  the 
satisfaction  of  telling  him  what  he  is  to  his  face. 
That  he,  not  I,  is  the  fool." 

"  Benton,  he  may  kill  you.  Remember  the  time 
when  as  a  child  he  sprang  at  you  with  a  knife." 

"  I  have  something  here,"  replied  Benton  tapping 
his  hip  pocket,  "  that  will  keep  him  quiet." 

"  Then  I  will  go  with  you.  I  cannot  have  you 
see  him  alone.  I  know  there  is  danger."  She 
threw  her  anns  around  him  and  clung  to  him. 

"  Mother,  you  stay  right  here.  Have  no  fear. 
There  is  no  danger.  Then  think  of  me,  a  soldier, 
taking  my  mother  along  to  protect  me."  Thus 
speaking  Benton  gently  disengaged  her  arms  from 
around  him  and  went  out.  A  moment  she  hesitated 
and  then  she  softly  followed  him. 


CHAPTER  V 

I  AM  THE  TRAITOR 

GUILFORD  sat  in  his  room  quietly  smoking. 
He  had  taken  off  his  coat  and  put  on  a  smok- 
ing jacket,  but  with  his  usual  caution  he  had 
placed  a  revolver  within  the  folds  of  the  jacket.  He 
now  sat  smoking  and  thinking.  The  day  had  been 
rather  a  strenuous  one,  but  so  far  had  gone  as  well 
as  he  could  have  hoped.  Had  he  fooled  Bent  ?  He 
believed  he  had.  But  the  great  question  was.  Would 
Bent  heed  the  warning?  He  hoped  he  would.  As 
much  as  he  hated  him  he  did  not  want  him  to  be 
hung  as  a  spy. 

"  One  thing  is  certain,"  he  muttered,  "  if  Bent 
concludes  to  go  he  will  come  to  see  his  mother  be- 
fore he  does;  and  if  he  does,  wall  he  come  to  see 
me?  I  believe  he  will,  if  he  has  swallowed  the  bait 
of  the  Unknown.  He  will  be  filled  with  curiosity  as 
to  what  I  know,  and,  why,  like  himself  I  am  in  dan- 
ger. He  will  also  be  hoping  that  I  can  clear  up  the 
mystery  as  to  who  the  Unknown  is." 

Thus  Guilford  sat  musing,  little  thinking  that  if 
Benton  did  visit  him  it  would  be  on  an  entirely  dif- 

60 


7  AM   THK   TRAITOR  61 

ferent  errand  from  what  he  supposed.  He  smiled  as 
he  heard  Benton  and  Jerry  enter  the  house.  If  he 
came  at  all  he  would  soon  be  there. 

After  a  time  he  heard  footsteps,  and  then  a  sharp 
rap  at  his  door.  He  opened  it  and  Benton  walked 
in.  his  face  glowing  with  passion. 

Guilford  started  back  in  well  simulated  surprise. 
"  Great  Heavens!  you  here,  Bent!  When  and  why 
did  you  come?    It 's  dangerous." 

"  Yes,  I  am  here,"  answered  Bent  in  tones  of 
mingled  scorn  and  contempt.  "  And  now  what  can 
you  say  for  yourself,  you  black-hearted  traitor?  " 

It  at  once  dawned  on  Guilford  that  Benton  might 
know  more  than  he  thought,  but  not  a  muscle  of  his 
face  moved.  He  resumed  his  seat,  took  a  whifT  at 
his  cigar,  and  then  coolly  replied :  "  That 's  a  very 
brotherly  greeting  you  have  given  me,  Bent.  Please 
take  a  seat  and  explain." 

"  Seat !  I  had  rather  take  a  seat  from  your  mas- 
ter, the  devil,"  sneered  Benton.  "  Traitor  that  you 
are,  if  you  had  any  shame,  any  regard  for  your 
father  you  would  go  and  hang  yourself." 

"  As  to  that,"  replied  Guilford,  "  you  and  I  both 
may  swing  if  we  are  not  careful.  I  have  just  re- 
ceived a  warning  from  an  Unknown  —  " 

"  Do  n't  keep  that  farce  up.  Fool,  to  think  you 
have  deceived  anyone." 

"  Look  here.   Bent.     You  have  called  me  some 


62  Tin:  SCOUT  OF  Pi: A   niDGE 

hard  names.  You  well  know  that  anyone  in  the 
calling  I  am  in,  has  to  be  traitor  to  one  side  or  the 
other,  so  I  have  let  your  names  pass.  General  Price 
knows  and  appreciates  what  I  have  done." 

"He  does,  does  he?"  sneered  Benton.  "Then 
listen  to  this  plain  story.  When  General  Price  gave 
you  orders  to  come  here  to  spy  on  Lawrence  Middle- 
ton,  he  doubted  your  loyalty.  He  sent  me  here  to 
trap  you,  if  you  were  guilty.  Hardly  were  you  out 
of  sight  before  he  commanded  me  to  follow  you  and 
see  whether  you  faithfully  performed  your  duty  or 
not." 

"  You  are  the  liar  now,"  said  Guilford.  "  You  are 
at  your  old  tricks.  Bent.  General  Price  trusted  me, 
but  no  sooner  was  I  out  of  sight,  than  you  poured 
your  suspicions  in  his  ear,  and  begged  to  be  allowed 
to  come  and  prove  your  suspicions  true.  Nothing 
would  please  you  more  than  to  see  me  hung.  If  I 
am  what  you  charge,  why  don't  I  have  you  hung? 
A  word  and  it  would  be  done.  I  hate  you  as  cor- 
dially as  you  hate  me.  Then  why  should  I  save 
you  —  you  who  came  to  spy  on  me.  But  go  on, 
your  story  is  getting  interesting." 

"  It  will  prove  more  so,"  snarled  Benton,  showing 
his  teeth  like  a  dog.  "  I  did  come  here  to  prove  you 
a  traitor,  as  I  have  suspected  for  some  time.  It 
was  my  duty.  You  have  done  the  South  harm 
enough.     I  knew  you  to  be  friendly  with  Lawrence 


/  Ail    THE  TBAITOR  63 

Middlcton,  and  believed  you  to  be  the  one  who  gave 
him  our  secrets.  Generals  Price  and  Frost  could 
hardly  believe  you  were  such  a  dastard,  yet  as  I  have 
said,  they  were  suspicious.  Therefore  I  came  to 
learn  the  tmth." 

"  Noble  youth."  exclaimed  Guilford  ironically. 
"  What  have  you  learned?  " 

"  You  will  know  soon  enough.  For  four  days  I 
have  had  Lawrence  Middleton  closely  watched. 
Nothing  occurred  until  you  came,  and  then  I  was 
well  repaid  for  my  vigilance.  Yesterday  as  you 
passed  Middleton  on  the  street  you  did  not  notice 
him,  but  slyly  pressed  a  paper  in  his  hand." 

Guilford  gave  no  sign  of  astonishment,  but  he  was 
surprised  Benton  had  been  more  crafty,  and  he  had 
been  more  closel}^  watched  than  he  supposed.  He 
now  began  to  see  that  his  idea  of  fooling  Benton 
further  was  a  vain  one,  but  he  said ;  "  Another 
lie.  Your  spy  saw  me  give  Lawrence  Middleton  no 
paper." 

"  Middleton  was  seen  to  read  a  paper  a  moment 
after  you  passed,  and  then  chew  it  up,"  exclaimed 
Benton  triumphantly.  "  No  doubt  it  was  an  en- 
gagement for  a  meeting  from  what  aftenvards 
transpired." 

"  So  it  was  the  carelessness  of  Lawrence  that  gave 
me  away,"  thought  Guilford.  Then  out  loud. 
"  Great  evidence.     Good."     Guilford  began  to  feel 


64  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  lilDGE 

a  little  more  easy.  Benton  was  simply  jumping  at 
conclusions. 

"  Yes,  great  evidence  taken  in  connection  with 
what  has  occurred  to-night,"  retorted  Benton.  "  To- 
night Lawrence  Middleton  went  to  a  dark  place  on 
Fourth  Street  and  stayed  there  for  some  time  as  if 
expecting  someone.  But  the  person's  suspicions  he 
w-as  to  meet,  must  have  been  aroused  for  as  he 
passed  Middleton  he  never  halted,  but  said  some- 
thing in  a  low  tone.  From  there  Middleton  went 
straight  home,  and  the  person  went  around  another 
way  and  was  let  in  by  the  rear  gate  to  Middleton's 
home." 

"  I  do  n't  see  what  all  that  rigmarole  has  to  do 
with  me,"  said  Guilford  dryly.  "  I  am  not  Law- 
rence Middleton's  keeper."  But  all  the  time  he  was 
wondering  whether  his  disguise  had  been  penetrated, 

"  You  will  see  what  it  has  to  do  with  you,  before 
I  am  through,  arch  traitor  that  you  are,"  retorted 
Benton.  "  This  person  remained  in  conference,  sup- 
posedly with  Lawrence  Middleton,  for  nearly  an 
hour.  He  was  then  let  out  the  same  way  he  came 
in.  He  was  followed,  and  he  was  aware  of  it,  for 
stepping  into  a  dark  alley  he  waited  until  Dickey 
Holbrook,  who  was  tracking  him  came  along,  thrust 
a  pistol  into  his  face  and  scaring  him  to  death  made 
him  tell  all  he  knew." 

"Valiant     Dickey,"    laughed     Guilford.     "You 


/  Ail   THE  TEAITOB  63 

should  employ  braver  spies.  Did  Dickey  know  who 
waylaid  him?  "' 

''  No,  the  fellow  styled  himself  the  Unknown  and 
sent  word  to  me  to  be  out  of  the  city  by  morning, 
or  I  would  be  arrested  as  a  spy." 

"  Must  have  been  a  friend  of  yours.  If  you  know 
when  you  are  well  oft,  you  will  heed  the  advice.  I 
received  a  warning  from  the  same  source  and  I  am 
going  to  take  it.'' 

Benton  was  wild  with  rage.  He  fairly  gnashed 
his  teeth.  "Liar!  Dastard!  Traitor!"  he  cried. 
*'  How  much  longer  will  you  dissemble?  Another 
one  was  trailing  the  Unknown,  one  not  to  be  fooled, 
Jerry  Alcorn.  He  tracked  him  straight  to  this 
house.  He  entered  it  with  a  key.  Xo  one  has  left 
the  house  since.  Great  God!  Why  do  such  vermin 
as  you  live?  I  ought  to  crush  you  as  I  would  a 
reptile,  even  here  in  your  father's  house." 

If  Benton  thought  that  Guilford  would  cringe 
when  his  duplicity  was  fully  exposed,  he  was  mis- 
taken. Guilford  now  knew  that  there  was  no  reason 
why  he  should  continue  his  deception.  He  had  been 
fairly  trapped.  While  Benton  had  been  speaking 
he  had  thrown  aside  his  cigar.  Now  rising  from  his 
seat  and  looking  Benton  squarely  in  the  eye  he  re- 
marked sarcastically,  "  Let  me  congratulate  you,  my 
dear  brother.  You  are  more  crafty  than  I  supposed." 

\\'hen  he  said  this  his  right  hand  rested  beneath 


06  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

the  folds  of  his  smoking  jacket.  He  took  a  step 
towards  Benton,  a  look  in  his  face  that  even  as  brave 
as  Benton  was,  sent  a  shiver  through  him. 

"  You  have  had  your  say,"  said  Guilford  in  tones 
as  cold  as  steel.  "  Now  I  will  have  mine.  Give  my 
respects  to  Jackson,  Price,  Frost  and  Company. 
Tell  them  you  accomplished  the  purpose  for  which 
you  were  sent  and  claim  your  reward.  The  traitor 
has  been  found.  It  was  I  who  gave  away  their  most 
secret  plottings  to  Lawrence  Middleton,  and  he  in 
turn  to  Lyon  and  Blair." 

For  a  moment  Benton  stood  astounded  by  the  bold 
avowal,  then  his  face  grew  black  with  passion. 
"  Viper,  I  have  a  mind  to  kill  you  where  you  stand," 
he  hissed. 

"  Do  n't  try  it.  You  may  fail,"  replied  Guilford, 
and  as  he  said  it  the  hand  that  was  in  his  bosom 
twitched  nervously.  "  Furthermore,"  he  continued, 
"  tell  that  arch  liar  and  plotter,  General  Frost,  that 
when  his  orderly  I  had  duplicate  keys  to  his  desk 
made  and  thus  had  access  to  his  most  secret  corres- 
pondence." 

"  Infamous !  You  black-hearted  villain.  You  de- 
serve a  thousand  deaths,"  cried  Benton. 

"  Tell  them  also,"  continued  Guilford  without  ap- 
pearing to  notice  the  interruption,  "  that  I  glory  in 
what  I  did;  that  great  as  has  been  my  deception, 
never  can   T   equal   them   in  deceit,   treachery,   and 


I  AM  THE  TRAITOR  67 

falsehood.  You  despise  me,  do  you?  What  do  you 
think  of  yourself,  plotting  treason  under  the  folds 
of  the  American  tlag  and  claiming  its  protection  at 
Camp  Jackson?  I  may  be  a  traitor,  but  you  and 
they  are  ten  times  the  hypocrite  and  traitor  that  I 
am.  There,  do  n't  finger  that  revolver.  It  's  death 
if  you  do." 

From  the  blackness  of  his  rage  Benton's  face  grew 
pale.  In  Guilford's  eyes  he  saw  the  same  deadly 
glint  that  he  saw  when  as  a  child  he  sought  to  plunge 
a  knife  in  his  bosom.  There  was  death  in  the  look, 
and  he  knew  it,  and  his  hand  left  the  region  of  his 
hip  pocket. 

There  was  a  rustle  at  the  door.  An  exclamation 
of  terror,  but  in  their  terrible  earnestness  neither 
Guilford  nor  Benton  noticed  it. 

"  Do  you  want  to  know  why  I.  a  child  of  the 
South,  have  done  this?"  continued  Guilford,  his 
voice  falling  lower  and  taking  on  a  tone  of  sadness. 
"  I  will  tell  you.  As  a  child  I  was  timid,  shrinking 
and  sickly.  I  never  knew  a  mother's  love,  but,  oh, 
how  my  little  heart  yearned  for  love.  My  father, 
immersed  in  business,  saw  my  bodily  cares  provided 
for,  but  there  it  ended.  Still  there  was  one  who 
cared  for  me.  My  mammy.  She  took  me  to  her 
bosom,  nourished  me.  loved  me,  and  I  gave  her  all 
my  love  in  return.  Young  as  I  was  then  I  did 
not  know  the  difference  between  a  white  and  a  black 


68  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

skin,  and  I  could  not  have  loved  my  own  mother 
more. 

''  Then  I  was  told  I  was  to  have  a  new  mother 
and  your  mother  came  and  you  with  her.  When  she 
first  came  she  caressed  me,  but  I  knew  she  did  not 
love  me.  How  I  longed  to  be  taken  to  her  bosom, 
to  be  called  her  darling  child,  but  she  only  had  love 
for  you." 

Again  there  was  a  rustle  at  the  door,  a  sobbing 
moan  of  agony.  It  was  not  noticed  and  Guilford 
went  on. 

"  I  once  more  took  refuge  in  the  love  of 
my  mammy.  You,  Benton,  older,  stronger  than  I, 
lorded  it  over  me  as  if  I  was  a  menial  and  you  my 
master.  You  made  my  life  a  burden,  and  I  grew  to 
hate  you.  My  mammy  saw  it  all  and  she  grew  des- 
perate. Then  came  that  day,  that  terrible  day  that 
changed  my  whole  life  and  made  me  what  I  am. 
Benton,  if  it  had  been  your  own  mother  being 
whipped  you  could  not  have  suffered  more  than  I 
did." 

Again  that  rustle,  that  moan  and  the  trembling 
woman  at  the  door  pressed  her  hands  to  her  heart  in 
agony. 

Guilford,  his  voice  now  vibrating  with  passion, 
continued.  "  I  can  still  hear  you  clapping  your 
hands  in  glee  and  crying.  '  Whip,  harder !  Whip 
harder ! '     God !  how  I  have  hated  you  and  slavery 


The  door  hurst  open,    and  with  a  cry  of  "Spare,  oh!  spare 
niv  son!"    Mrs.  Craig  tell  senseless  to  the  floor 


/  AM   THE  TRAITOR  69 

ever  since.  Your  niollicr  with  more  than  hellisli 
cruelly  made  —  " 

Guilford  never  ihiished  the  sentence,  Benton, 
terrible  in  his  rage,  and  forgetting  everything  cried, 
"  No  man  can  slander  my  jiiother  and  live,"  and 
snatched  at  his  revolver. 

With  a  cat-like  spring,  Guilford  with  his  left 
hand  knocked  the  weapon  aside  and  the  shot  went 
wild.  Then  with  a  strength  he  did  not  look  to  pos- 
sess, he  caught  Benton  by  the  wrist  and  twisted  his 
arm.  A  look  of  pain  came  over  Benton's  face,  and 
the  revolver  dropped  from  his  nerveless  hand.  At 
the  same  time  the  muzzle  of  Guilford's  pistol  was 
pressed  against  his  breast.  In  Guilford's  face  there 
was  the  pent  up  hate  of  years,  and  in  a  second  more 
murder  would  have  been  committed,  when  there 
came  a  piercing  shriek,  the  door  burst  open  and  with 
a  cry  of  "  Spare,  oh !  spare  my  son,"  Mrs.  Craig 
fell  senseless  to  the  floor. 

A  moment  Guil.ord  stood,  then  the  expression  of 
his  face  changed.  Perhaps  he  thought  of  his  own 
mother.  He  lowered  his  pistol.  "  Live,"  he  said, 
"  but  you  have  never  been  closer  to  death." 

Mrs.  Craig's  shriek  of  terror,  and  the  report  of 
the  pistol  had  aroused  the  whole  household.  Ter- 
rified servants  cowered  in  their  rooms,  and  gave 
word  to  their  fear  in  ear-piercing  shrieks.  Mr. 
Craig,  aroused  from  a  deep  slumber,  snatched  an  old 


70  TUE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

sabre  and  rushed  as  he  supposed  to  the  defence  of  his 
family. 

Jerry  Alcorn  who,  for  the  past  half-hour  had 
been  pacing  the  libraiy  with  nervous  strides  and 
cursing  Benton  for  his  prolonged  stay,  was  on 
the  point  of  going  to  Benton  and  telling  him 
they  must  go,  when  the  pistol  shot  and  the  shriek  of 
Mrs.  Craig  startled  him,  and  with  quick  bounds  he 
went  up  the  stairs. 

Mr.  Craig  had  preceded  him.  The  old  gentleman 
stood  on  the  threshold,  sabre  in  hand,  and  gazed  at 
the  scene  before  him  in  amazement.  On  the  floor  lay 
the  senseless  form  of  his  wife.  Benton  with  a  face 
as  pale  as  death  was  bending  over  her.  Guilford 
with  a  revolver  in  hand  stood  motionless. 

"My  God!  You  here,  Benton?"  cried  Mr. 
Craig.  "  Guilford !  My  wife !  Great  Heavens ! 
Have  you  shot  her,  wretched  boy?  "  With  uplifted 
sabre  he  turned  on  Guilford  with  flaming  eyes. 

"  She  is  not  shot.  She  has  simply  fainted.  Strike 
me  down  if  you  wish.  I  care  not,  but  Benton  has 
just  tri^d  to  kill  me." 

The  old  gentleman  lowered  his  sabre,  his  whole 
form  shaking  like  a  leaf.  He  could  hardly 
understand. 

Jerry  was  the  first  one  to  take  in  the  situation. 
"  Benton,  we  are  lost."  he  cried.  "  The  shot  has 
aroused  the  patrol.     Hark!  they  are  thundering  at 


/   AM    TUI-:   TRAITOR  71 

the  door.  Fool,  that  you  are  to  throw  away  our 
lives  that  you  might  have  revenge." 

Guilford  was  once  more  his  sane  cool  self. 
"  Father,"  he  exclaimed  in  quick  sharp  tones.  "  I 
tell  you  Mrs.  Craig  is  not  hurt.  Bear  her  to  her 
own  room.  She  is  sick,  has  been  sick,  has  not  been 
out  of  her  room  to-night.  The  excitement  has  thrown 
her  into  hysterics.     Do  you  understand?" 

Bewildered  and  as  in  a  dream,  Mr.  Craig  gathered 
up  the  senseless  form  of  his  wife,  and  bore  her  from 
the  room.  From  below  came  the  sound  of  splintered 
wood.  The  patrol  was  breaking  in  the  door  for  the 
cries  of  the  affrighted  ser^-ants  were  still  ringing 
through  the  house. 

Guilford  sprang  to  a  window  and  threw  it  wide 
open.  "  Quick,  Jerry,  you  and  Benton,  through 
there.  It  opens  on  the  roof  of  the  porch.  Leave 
all  to  me.     There  have  been  burglars  in  the  house.  ' 

Jerry  and  Benton  understood.  Without  a  word 
they  dashed  through  the  window  and  were  gone. 

Guilford  noticing  the  revolver  of  Benton  lying  on 
the  floor  where  it  had  fallen,  picked  it  up  and  tossed 
it  through  the  open  window  onto  the  roof  of  the 
porch,  and  then  turned  to  face  the  patrol  who  with 
a  sergeant  at  their  head  came  rushing  into  the  room. 

"What  is  all  this  racket  about?"  demanded  the 
sergeant  furiously.     "What's  the  matter?" 

"  The  matter  is  easily  explained,"  answered  Guil- 


72  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

ford  coolly.  "  My  mother  is  very  sick  and  I  had 
been  sitting  with  her  until  a  few  moments  ago  when 
1  returned  to  my  room.  As  1  opened  my  door  I  dis- 
covered that  two  burglars  had  climbed  on  the  porch, 
opened  a  window  and  were  just  crawling  into  the 
room.  I  happened  to  have  a  pistol  in  my  pocket  and 
I  took  a  shot  at  them.  By  the  way  they  tumbled  off 
the  porch  I  reckon  I  missed.  Of  course  the  shot 
alaiTned  the  whole  house,  and  from  the  racket  the 
servants  are  making,  I  judge  they  are  somewhat 
frightened.  At  the  sound  of  the  «hot  father  rushed 
in  with  the  old  sabre  you  see  lying  there,  but  he  has 
gone  back  to  mother,  who  is  greatly  excited  over  the 
occurrence.     That  is  all,  gentlemen." 

The  sergeant  walked  to  the  window  and  looked 
out.  "  Why,  one  of  the  scoundrels  dropped  his  re- 
volver on  the  roof  of  the  porch,"  exclaimed  the  ser- 
geant. "  Do  you  think  there  is  any  chance  of 
catching  them?  " 

"  Not  in  the  least,"  replied  Guilford.  "  They  are 
well  away  by  this  time.  Excuse  me  just  a  moment, 
gentlemen,  I  want  to  see  how  mother  is." 

Guilford  went  to  Mrs.  Craig's  room,  spoke  a  few 
words  to  his  father  and  coming  back  said,  "  Gen- 
tlemen, I  must  ask  you  to  be  as  quiet  as  possible. 
The  excitement  has  thrown  mother  into  hysteria,  and 
father,  greatly  alarmed,  has  sent  for  two  physicians." 

"  Beg  your  pardon,"  replied  the  sergeant.  "  We 


/  AM   THE  TKAITOri  73 

will  withdraw  quietly.  Sorry  we  broke  in  the  door, 
hut  no  one  came  to  open  it." 

"  No  apology  is  necessary,  Sergeant.  You  only 
did  your  duty.  I  suppose  the  butler  was  under  the 
bed  shaking  with  fear.  Let  me  thank  you  for  your 
promptness  in  coming  as  you  supposed  to  a  scene 
uf  crime.  Here  is  something  to  treat  your  men." 
(ruilford  handed  him  a  five-dollar  bill. 

The  sergeant  was  profuse  in  his  thanks  and  with- 
drew his  men  quietly. 

Guilford  drew  a  long  breath  of  relief  as  they  de- 
parted. "  Now  to  quiet  the  servants,"  he  said,  "  and 
then  — "  He  had  to  decide  what  the  "  then " 
would  be. 


CHAPTER  VI 

A  STRICKEN  FATHER 

IT  was  sometime  before  Guilford  could  allay  the 
fears  of  the  servants,  and  convince  them  that  no 
one  had  been  killed.  Burglars  had  broken  into 
the  house,  he  told  them,  but  he  had  shot  at  them  an;  I 
frightened  them  away. 

None  of  the  servants,  except  James,  the  butler, 
knew  that  Benton  had  been  at  home.  Under  threats 
of  the  most  horrible  punishment  Guilford  swore 
him  to  everlasting  secrecy.  "  It  is  as  much  as  our 
lives  are  worth  if  it  is  known  he  was  here.  The 
Yankees  would  hang  us  both,"  said  Guilford. 

"  I  nevah  tell,  Massa  Guilford,"  replied  the  trem- 
bling butler. 

It  is  well  to  say  here  that  Mr.  Craig  had  sent  his 
two  daughters  away  to  a  school  which  he  thought 
would  be  far  away  from  the  excitement  of  war. 

Soon  the  household  was  restored  to  its  wonted 
quiet,  with  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Craig.  She  was 
in  a  violent  hysteria.  Two  physicians  were  doing 
ever>^thing  they  could  to  quiet  her.  It  was  no  time  to 
make  explanations,  and  Guilford  told  his  father  he 

74 


A  STRICKKX  FATHER  75 

would  explain  everything  in  the  morning.  He  then 
repaired  to  his  room  and  sat  down  to  think. 

"  I  am  glad  I  did  n't  kill  Benton,"  he  said  softly 
to  himself.     "  He  loves  his  mother." 

Then  he  looked  at  a  portrait  of  his  own  mother 
which  hung  on  the  wall.  The  mother  he  had  never 
known.  He  had  spent  hours  looking  at  it,  when  a 
child,  and  wondering  why  God  took  her,  and  he  never 
tired  of  hearing  Susan  tell  what  a  sweet  lady  she 
was. 

Now  as  he  gazed  on  the  portrait,  a  look  of  the 
deepest  sadness  came  over  his  face.  "If  she  had  only 
lived."  he  sighed.  "  it  might  have  been  different." 

Suddenly  he  started  up  in  amazement,  and  stared 
at  the  portrait  with  startled  eyes,  and  a  tremor 
shook  his  body  from  head  to  foot. 

The  ball  from  Benton's  revolver  which  he  had 
struck  aside  had  pierced  the  portrait  where,  if  she 
had  been  in  its  place,  her  heart  would  have  been. 

"Great  Heavens!"  he  gasped  and  sank  down 
faint  and  weak.  At  that  moment,  he  felt  as  if  Ben- 
ton had  really  killed  his  mother,  and  a  fierce  desire 
for  vengeance  filled  his  heart.  At  length  he  arose, 
tottered  to  a  seat  by  the  table,  and,  burying  his  face 
in  his  hands,  sat  silent  for  a  long  time. 

When  he  lifted  his  face  it  looked  worn  and  hag- 
gard, more  like  the  face  of  an  old  man  than  a  boy. 

"  It  is  the  only  thing  I  can  do,"  he  said  wearily. 


76  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  HIDGE 

"  I  cannot  meet  father.  1  cannot  say  to  him  all  I 
wish  to  say.  I  cannot  bear  his  scorn  and  contempt. 
It  's  the  only  way.  To  him  as  well  as  to  the  w^orld, 
Guilford  Craig  must  be  dead  —  dead." 

He  hastily  arose,  and  gathering  together  writing 
material,  he  sat  down  to  the  table  and  rapidly  com- 
menced writing.  At  length  he  finished  and  without 
looking  at  what  he  had  written,  folded  the  sheets, 
placed  them  in  an  envelope  directed  to  his  father, 
and  left  the  letter  on  the  table. 

Next  he  placed  a  few  of  his  belongings  in  a  valise 
and  then  stood  a  moment  looking  around  the  room, 
at  length  fixing  his  gaze  on  his  mother's  portrait. 
The  rent  made  by  the  ball  seemed  frightfully  large, 
but  the  eyes  smiled  down  upon  him.  A  moment  he 
looked  and  then  he  turned,  and  just  as  the  gray 
dawn  was  beginning  to  show  in  the  east,  he  left 
the  house  —  he  believed,  forever. 

Mr.  Craig  never  forgot  that  night.  He  could  only 
surmise  what  had  taken  place.  He  knew  that  Guil- 
ford and  Benton  must  have  had  a  fierce  quarrel. 
One  that  nearly  resulted  in  murder.  Yet  Guilford 
had  aided  Benton  in  escaping.  He  could  not  un- 
derstand it.  Why  was  Benton  at  home?  Why  had 
his  presence  been  kept  concealed  from  him?  He 
thought  Benton  was  with  Price.  But  he  must  wait 
until  morning,  then  Guilford  had  promised  to  make 
all  things  plain  to  him.     His  place  was  now^  by  the 


A  STRICKEX  FATHER  77 

side  of  his  wife,  and  as  he  hstened  to  her  incoherent 
talk  his  heart  was  filled  with  fear,  and  a  vague  ter- 
ror took  possession  of  him.  His  wife  must  have 
known  Benton  was  at  home,  for  was  she  not  in  the 
room  with  Guilford  and  Benton  when  the  quarrel 
took  place.  Then  at  times  she  would  sob,  "  Benton, 
why  did  you  come?  They  will  hang  you."  Then 
she  would  shriek,  "  Guilford,  do  n't  shoot.  Spare 
my  son." 

But  what  puzzled  Mr.  Craig  most  was  when  she 
would  sob  with  broken  moans,  "'  Guilford,  forgive 
nie.  I  did  not  mean  to  be  selfish  and  cruel,  but  Ben- 
ton is  my  son,  my  own  son." 

Once  she  started  up  wild  eyed  and  shaking  in  fear. 
"  There  is  Susan,"  she  cried,  "  take  her  away.  See 
how  she  looks  at  me." 

Mr.  Craig  was  like  a  great  many  other  men  of  af- 
fairs. His  business  engrossed  all  of  his  attention. 
When  his  wife  died  and  his  infant  son  was  com- 
mitted to  the  care  of  his  mammy,  he  knew  the  child 
would  have  the  best  of  attention.  What  money 
could  buy  was  freely  given,  but  a  father's  love  was 
withheld.  Xot  that  Mr.  Craig  did  not  care  for  or 
love  his  son,  for  he  did.  but  he  had  no  time  for 
caresses.  As  a  child  Guilford  had  no  more  thought 
of  carr>'ing  his  suimII  griefs  to  his  father,  than  he 
would  to  a  stranger.  It  was  in  the  bosom  of  his 
mammy  that  he  found  love  and  sympathy. 


78  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA   L'IDGE 

At  last  Mr.  Craig  noticed  that  his  son  was  lavish- 
ing too  much  love  on  his  mammy  —  that  in  his  heart 
there  was  no  caste,  that  he  did  not  realize  the  dif- 
ference between  a  white  and  a  black  skin,  between 
the  bound  and  the  free.  It  was  time  Guilford  had  a 
real  mother,  and  so  he  had  married. 

But  the  woman  he  chose  for  a  wife  was  both  fash- 
ionable and  selfish.  Then  she  had  a  son  of  her  own 
in  whom  all  the  love  she  had  to  give  was  wrapped 
up,  so  she  had  no  motherly  affection  to  give  the 
child  of  her  husband.  Glad  not  to  be  troubled  with 
him,  she  still  left  him  in  the  care  of  his  mammy. 
Guilford  made  no  advances  towards  his  new  mother 
and  she  encouraged  none.  But  the  two  boys  did  not 
agree.  Then  came  the  sad  ending  and  the  sale  of 
Susan. 

Guilford  cherished  his  hate  in  secret  and  grew  to 
young  manhood  as  we  have  seen,  sly,  crafty,  moody 
and  in  a  measure  a  monomaniac  on  the  subject  of 
slavery.  He  would  have  made  a  fit  companion  for 
John  Brown. 

Mr.  Craig  was  a  violent  partisan  of  the  South. 
He  believed  in  the  divine  ordination  of  slavery.  He 
rejoiced  when  secession  came.  That  the  South 
could  be  conquered  was  to  him  an  impossfibility. 
He  aided  Frost  all  he  could  in  the  attempt  to  capture 
the  arsenal.  When  Benton  entered  the  militia  Mr. 
Craig  purchased  for  him  the  finest  horse  and  equip- 


A  STHICKEX  FATHER  79 

ment  that  could  be  had.  He  opposed  Guilford's 
joining  on  account  of  his  youth,  but  at  length  con- 
sented, and  it  was  at  his  request  that  Frost  had  made 
Guilford  his  orderly.  Thus  unknowingly  he  had 
contributed  to  the  success  of  the  Federal  cause. 

The  capture  of  Camp  Jackson  he  considered  one 
of  the  greatest  outrages  ever  committed  on  a  free 
people,  and  Lyon  became  to  him  the  personification 
of  everything  evil.  Guilford  acting  as  a  spy  for  Gen- 
eral Price,  he  greatly  disapproved,  and  begged  him 
to  give  it  up  ever)'  time  he  returned  home.  "If  you 
must  fight,"  he  would  say,  "  do  so  like  a  gen- 
tleman." 

But  Guilford  would  declare  he  was  doing  the 
Southern  cause  more  good  than  a  hundred  soldiers. 
and  was  willing  to  take  the  risk. 

It  was  near  morning  before  Mrs.  Craig  became 
quiet,  and  at  last  sank  into  a  peaceful  sleep.  The 
physicians  now  assured  ?vlr.  Craig  that  all  danger 
was  past,  that  all  she  would  need  was  rest  and 
quiet.  But  nothing  should  be  said  or  done  to  excite 
her. 

Weary  with  his  vigil,  and  with  his  heart  torn  with 
conflicting  emotions,  Mr.  Craig  obeyed  the  call  for 
the  morning  meal.  He  did  not  feel  like  eating  but  he 
would  see  Guilford.  He  must  know  the  meaning  of 
what  had  taken  place.  Guilford  not  being  down,  Mr. 
Craig  managed  to  drink  a  small  cup  of  coffee,  and 


80  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

cat  a  few  mouth fuls.  He  then  sat  waiting,  but  no 
Guilford  appeared. 

"  James,"  he  said  to  the  butler,  "  go  to  Guil- 
ford's room  and  see  if  he  is  awake.  Tell  him  to 
come  down  as  soon  as  possible." 

The  butler  obeyed  but  in  a  moment  came  back 
with  the  startling  intelligence  that  Guilford  was  not 
in  his  room,  that  the  bed  had  not  been  slept  in, 
and  that  the  room  was  in  disorder. 

With  a  muffled  groan  Mr.  Craig  sprang  to  his 
feet,  and  hurried  to  the  room.  It  was  as  the  butler 
had  said,  but  the  letter  on  the  table  caught  his  at- 
tention. Snatching  it  up  he  tore  it  open  with  trem- 
bling hands.  He  had  read  but  a  few  lines  when  an 
awful  expression  came  over  his  face.  If  the  paper 
had  been  his  own  death  warrant  the  effect  could 
not  have  been  greater.  He  gasped  for  breath  and 
reeled  like  a  drunken  man.  He  glanced  at  it  again 
to  be  certain  he  was  not  mistaken,  then  with  a  bitter 
curse  he  threw  it  down  and  stamped  on  it  in  fury. 

"  May  the  curse  of  God  rest  upon  him,"  he  cried. 
"  The  devil  in  hell  rend  him.  A  traitor,  a  black 
damnable  traitor." 

For  half  an  hour  he  raved  like  a  mad  man  then 
after  his  fury  had  somewhat  spent  itself,  his  thoughts 
took  a  new  turn. 

"  The  boy  must  be  insane.  He  has  imagined  all 
this.     It  cannot  be.     It  must  not  be  true.     I  cannot 


A  STRICKEN  FATHER  81 

believe  it.     The  whole  letter  will  show  him  to  be 
insane.     He  was  always  a  queer  boy." 

Thus  saying  he  picked  up  the  letter  and  this  is 
what  he  read: 

Dear  Father: — 

I  thought  to  see  you  this  morning  and  tell  you  all, 
but  I  find  I  cannot  do  it.  I  cannot  face  you  and  tell 
you  I  am  a  traitor  to  all  you  hold  dear,  that  I  have 
been  playing  a  double  part.  Instead  of  being  for  the 
South,  for  the  past  months  I  have  been  acting  as  a  spy 
for  Blair  and  Lyon,  and  it  was  greatly  through  the 
information  that  I  furnished  that  the  arsenal  was 
saved  to  the  Union. 

I  know  that  you  will  despise  me,  hate  me.  That 
you  will  curse  the  day  you  had  a  son  born,  and  never 
want  to  look  upon  my  face  again.  I  do  not  blame  you, 
but  in  extenuation  of  what  I  have  done,  hear  what  I 
have  to  say. 

Here  followed  a  long  recital  of  what  the  reader 
already  knows.  In  fact  Guilford  laid  bare  his  whole 
life.  How  he  had  pined  for  love  and  received  none 
except  from  his  mammy.  He  told  of  the  brutality 
of  Benton,  and  how  Susan  had  been  scourged  and 
sold,  because  she  sought  to  protect  him. 

The  letter  then  continued : — 

From  that  time  T  have  hated  slavery  with  a  deadly 
hatred.  This  war  has  given  me  the  opportunity  I  have 
long  wished  for  —  to  deal  slavery  a  deadly  blow.  Con- 
trary to  what  you  believe,  the  war  instead  of  perpet- 
uating slavery  will  be  its  death.  The  South  in  her 
blindness  has  dug  the  grave  of  her  beloved  institution. 


82  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

In  no  other  way  could  I  have  aided  the  cause  of  the 
Union  than  in  doing  what  I  have  done.  As  to  the  deceit 
and  treachery  I  have  practised,  it  is  no  greater  than 
that  practised  by  one  of  the  most  honored  men  in  the 
State.  What  did  your  friend  Frost  do,  in  order  that 
he  might  capture  the  arsenal?  You  were  privy  to  his 
acts  and  endorsed  them.  Then  why  am  I  worse  than 
you  or  he  ?  I  have  no  apology  to  make.  I  am  proud 
of  what  I  have  done. 

But  I  know  that  you  will  curse  me.  That  to  every 
Southern  sympathizer  in  St.  Louis  I  will  be  a  Benedict 
Arnold,  hated  and  loathed.  All  those  I  have  asso- 
ciated with  will  spurn  me  as  a  viper.  I  will  be  a  social 
leper.  Therefore  forget  you  ever  had  a  son.  Erase 
all  your  remembrance  of  me.  Make  Bent  your  heir. 
That  is  what  he  long  has  wished.  He  came  here  on 
purpose  to  prove  me  a  traitor  and  have  me  hanged  as 
a  spy.  He  tried  to  shoot  me.  I  do  n't  blame  him.  It 
was  the  kindest  act  he  ever  tried  to  do  me.  I  have 
often  thought  of  taking  my  own  life.  Now,  that  the 
war  is  on,  for  the  first  time  I  want  to  live.  There  is 
plenty  of  excitement,  and  I  want  to  live  to  see  slavery 
dead. 

From  this  day  I  am  dead  to  you.  If  I  fall  in  the 
great  struggle  now  going  on,  you  will  never  know  it, 
for  my  name  will  be  changed. 

Forgive  me  for  the  pain  I  may  cause  you.  In  many 
ways  you  have  been  a  kind  father.  Now,  farewell 
forever.  Remember  that  Guilford  Craig  is  no  longer 
of  this  world,    lie  is  dead. 

After  reading  the  letter  Mr.  Craig  sat  for  a  long 
time  as  one  stupefied.  He  then  leaned  his  face  on 
his  hands,  and  the  hot  tears  trickled  through  his  fin- 


A  ^T  RICK  EX  FATHER  83 

gers.     At  last  he  picked  up  the  letter  and  read  it 
through  again,  this  time  very  carefully. 

"  1  was  right,"  he  murmured.  "  The  poor  boy  is 
insane.  Has  not  been  right  for  years.  I  now  see 
it.  Great  God!  Why  could  I  not  see  it  before. 
And  I.  his  father,  am  to  blame.  Poor  child,  only 
his  mammy  to  love,  and  she  scourged  and  sold  for 
trying  to  protect  him.  Guilford,  Guilford,  my  son, 
my  boy,  forgive  me.  I  will  protect  you.  I  will  tell 
the  world  you  did  not  know  what  you  did.  Come 
back,  Guilford.      Come  home." 

Thus  the  poor  father  rambled  on.  Then  he  read 
the  letter  again.  It  did  not  read  as  if  written  by  one 
insane.  He  began  to  see  how  impossible  it  would 
be  for  him  to  convince  his  friends  that  his  son  was 
not  in  his  right  mind. 

"  If  he  had  only  taken  a  manly  course."  he 
groaned.  "  Hard  as  it  would  have  been  I  could  have 
borne  it.  Many  of  the  noblest  sons  of  the  South 
cling  to  the  Union.  If  he  had  only  done  as  Law- 
rence Middleton  has.  There  is  no  dishonor  in  his 
course.  But  this  deceit,  this  treachery.  Oh !  God  ! 
My  son !  My  son !  "  He  bowed  his  head  on  his 
hands  and  wept. 

At  length  he  grew  calmer.  "  Yes.  Guilford."  he 
moaned.  "  you  are  right.  Better  be  dead.  Dead 
and  forgotten,  lest  your  treacher\'  come  up  against 
you.      I  have  no  son.     Oh  !     God !     He  is  dead  — 


84  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

dead."  He  staggered  from  the  room,  looking  ten 
years  older. 

He  gave  orders  that  everything  belonging  to 
Guilford  was  to  be  destroyed  —  that  his  name  was 
never  to  be  mentioned.  When  the  servants  came  to 
the  portrait  of  Guilford's  mother  they  marvelled  at 
the  bullet  hole  through  it  and  discussed  whether  they 
should  show  it  to  their  master  or  -not.  But  one  gray- 
haired  servant  who  had  nursed  Guilford's  mother  in 
her  girlhood  took  it  and  carefully  put  it  away.  "  De 
honey  child  may  want  it  sum  time,"  she  whispered. 
"  De  po'  boy.    De  po'  boy." 

Mrs.  Craig's  recovery  was  slow.  All  that  she 
was  told  was  that  Benton  was  safe,  he  had  escaped. 
But  W'hen  she  grew  stronger  and  learned  it  was 
through  Guilford  that  he  escaped  and  was  saved 
from  an  ignominious  death,  conscience  stung  her  as 
it  had  never  stung  her  before. 

There  was  a  sensation  throughout  St.  Louis  when 
the  treachery  of  Guilford  became  known,  for  Jerry 
Alcorn  and  others  told,  and  to  every  one  who  loved 
the  South  and  its  cause  his  name  became  execrated, 
even  as  the  one  who  betrayed  his  Saviour. 

Even  the  heart  of  his  father  grew  hard,  and 
though  he  claimed  that  he  believed  that  his  son  was 
not  in  his  right  mind,  he  publicly  acknowledged  that 
he  had  disowned  him,  that  he  never  wished  to  hear 
his  name  mentioned,  that  the  only  son  he  had  was 
Benton  Shelley. 


CHAPTER  VII 

THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILWAY 

WHEN   Benton   Shelley  and  Jerry   Alcorn 
escaped  from  the  room  of  Guilford  Craig 
they   dropped    lightly    from   the   roof   of 
;he  porch  to  the  ground,  unhurt.    The  yard  in  which 
the  house  was  situated  was  a  large  one  and  full  of 
.■shrubbery. 

"  This  way,"  whispered  Jerry  leading  the  way  to 
a  tree  near  the  rear  fence.  To  climb  the  tree,  crawl 
out  on  one  of  the  branches  and  drop  on  the  other 
side  of  the  fence  was  but  the  work  of  a  moment, 
then  through  the  alley  to  another  street. 

"  Take  it  easy  now,"'  said  Jerry.  "  Do  n't  hurry. 
Do  nothing  to  attract  attention,  but  keep  your  eye 
peeled  for  patrol  guards.    We  must  avoid  them." 

Through  unfrequented  streets  and  dark  alleys 
Jerry  led  the  way,  now  and  then  crouching  in  the 
shadow  of  buildings  to  let  the  patrol  guards  pass. 

"  How  are  we  to  pass  the  pickets  which  surround 
the  city?"  asked  Benton. 

"  Easy  enough,"  answered  Jerry.  "  Wait  and 
see. 

85 


86  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

Soon  they  came  to  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  A 
large  mansion,  standing  back  from  the  street,  and 
surrounded  by  extensive  grounds  loomed  darkly  be- 
fore them.  A  high  stone  wall,  surmounted  by  iron 
pickets,  guarded  entrance  to  the  grounds.  The  gate- 
way was  rounded  in,  so  that  the  gate  was  completely 
in  the  shadows. 

Jerry  carefully  observed  the  ground  before  they 
crossed  the  street.     There  was  no  one  to  be  seen. 

"  Bend  low,"  he  whispered,  "follow  me,  and  walk 
carefully." 

Soon  they  stood  in  the  shadow  of  the  gateway. 
Jerry  gave  two  raps  on  the  gate,  waited  a  moment, 
then  gave  three  more. 

"  Who  is  there?  "  came  in  a  low  voice  from  the 
other  side  of  the  gate. 

"  Friends  of  the  rising  Confederacy,"  whispered 
Jerry. 

"  Friend,  give  the  pass  word." 

"  The  two  Bears." 

"  Right."  There  was  a  sound  of  sliding  bolts,  the 
gate  was  throw^n  open,  and  they  passed  in. 

"Hello,  Jerry,  is  this  you?"  said  the  keeper  of 
the  gate.     "  What  news  ?    Who  is  with  you  ?  " 

"  Allow  me  to  introduce  Lieutenant  Benton  Shel- 
ley of  Price's  army,"  said  Jerry,  "  who  is  fleeing 
from  the  wrath  to  come.  Lieutenant,  Mr.  Mon- 
tague, keeper  of  our  underground  railroad." 


THE  UXDEJiCTiOrXD  Ti.ilLJVAY  87 

Mr.  Montague  shook  hands  with  Benton.  '*  Get- 
ling  warm  for  you  in  the  city,  was  it?  "  he  asked. 

'*  Rather,"  answered  Benton  with  a  shrug.  "  I 
could  fairly  see  the  rope  dangling  before  my  eyes." 

"  Saved  his  neck  from  being  stretched  by  a 
scratch,"  said  Jerry  with  a  laugh.  "  Never  had  a 
closer  shave  myself.  Tell  you  all  about  it  as  soon  as 
the  Lieutenant  gets  away.  His  horse  is  back  some 
miles,  at  Logan's,  I  believe." 

"  That  is  bad,"  said  Montague.  "  Logan  is  not  on 
the  line,  but  I  will  try  to  arrange  it.  It  will  be  al- 
most impossible  though  to  get  him  there  by  daylight. 
Why  not  let  the  Lieutenant  rest  here  during  the  day 
and  then  he  will  have  the  whole  night  before  him?  " 

Benton  shook  his  head.     "  It  is  best  I  go  on." 

"  I  reckon  the  Lieutenant  is  right,"  said  Jerry. 
"  Do  n't  know  what  may  happen  to-day.  The  whole 
city  may  be  searched.  The  lieutenant  has  been  here 
after  big  fish,  and  he  has  located  one  of  the  biggest 
traitors  in  the  State.     Is  Murdock  here?  " 

"  Yes.  I  will  see  him.  Be  ready  to  move  on  in 
fifteen  minutes.  Lieutenant.  Before  you  go  you  had 
better  have  something  to  eat.  You  look  weary  and 
worn." 

"  Good  enough.  Feel  like  eating  myself,"  ex- 
claimed Jerry. 

They  were  taken  into  the  basement  of  the  house 
where  no  light  could  be  seen  from  the  outside.     To 


88  TUK  SCOi'T  OF  PEA   JUDGE 

Benton's  surprise  he  found  a  sumptuous  repast  al- 
ready prepared. 

"  We  are  always  ready  to  feed  the  hungry,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Montague  smiling.  "  You  will  find  the 
coffee  splendid,  Uncle  Sam's  best.  You  would  be 
surprised  if  I  should  tell  you  all  who  have  sat  at  this 
table.  Murdock  will  be  ready  by  the  time  you  are 
through  eating.     Enjoy  yourselves,  gentlemen." 

When  left  alone  Jerry  explained  that  the  house 
was  really  the  chief  station  on  what  might  be  called 
an  underground  railroad,  and  was  the  main  artery 
of  connection  between  the  Southern  element  in  the 
city  and  their  friends  in  the  country  and  the  anny. 

"  The  house,"  said  Jerry,  "  is  owned  by  one  of 
the  richest  men  in  the  city,  who  is  known  as  a  Union 
man.  All  men  connected  with  the  line  are  known 
as  Union  men.  Alany  noted  Confederate  officers 
have  passed  into  and  out  of  the  city,  and  the  Yankees 
none  the  wiser.  Do  n't  offer  to  pay  any  of  your 
guides.     All  of  them  are  getting  good  salaries." 

Benton  laughed  heartily.  "  Jerry,  you  ought  to  be 
in  the  army  at  the  head  of  our  scouts.  I  will  speak 
to  General  Price  about  it,  and  I  do  n't  believe  there 
will  be  the  least  trouble  in  getting  you  a  commission. 
Think  of  it,  Jerry." 

"  I  am  doing  a  good  work  here,"  replied  Jerry. 
"  Still  there  is  precious  little  honor  in  it.  I  some- 
times long  for  the  army.     Yes,  I  will  think  of  what 


THE  UNDEEGBOUyD  HAILIVAY  89 

you  say.  I  may  be  obliged  to  leave  the  city  now  that 
jMiddleton  and  Guilford  know  that  I  have  been 
mixed  up  in  your  affair.  But,  Bent,  what  happened 
between  you  and  Guilford?  I  suppose  your  temper 
got  the  best  of  you.  I  was  afraid  all  the  time  you 
would  make  a  fool  of  yourself.  But  that  was  a  neat 
turn  Guilford  gave  us.  I  suppose  we  ought  to  thank 
him  for  it.     It  saved  your  neck." 

Benton's  brow  darkened.  "  Jerry,"  he  exclaimed 
passionately,  "  I  would  leave  St.  Louis  happy  if  I 
could  leave  Guilford  Craig  and  Lawrence  Middle- 
ton  dead.  Guilford  not  only  boasted  of  his  treach- 
ery, but  insulted  my  mother.  I  lost  my  head  and 
tried  to  shoot  him.  He  was  too  quick  for  me.  I 
saw  murder  in  his  eye  and  thought  I  had  but  a  sec- 
ond to  live,  but  mother  burst  into  the  room  and  that 
stopped  him." 

"  Yet  a  minute  afterwards  he  showed  us  a  way  to 
escape,"  said  Jerry.     "  He  cannot  be  wholly  bad." 

Benton  gave  utterance  to  a  fierce  oath.  "  Jerry,  I 
will  never  rest  until  I  have  his  perjured  life.  He 
hates  me.  Even  as  a  child  he  tried  to  kill  me.  Wliy 
he  let  me  go,  I  do  not  know.  It  makes  no  difference. 
He  is  a  traitor  of  the  darkest  dye,  and  the  law  of  the 
world  has  ever  been  that  death  should  be  the  doom 
of  all  traitors.  What  difference  does  it  make 
whether  a  court  martial,  or  a  single  individual  exe- 
cutes that  law  ?  " 


90  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  HIDGE 

Benton  slopped  a  moment,  then  looking  earnestly 
into  the  face  of  his  companion  slowly  said,  "  Jerry, 
more   than   one   soldier  and   Dutchman  have   been  1 

found  dead  in  the  streets  and  alleys  of  St.  Louis,  and 
no  one  knows  how  they  came  by  their  death.  More 
than  one  man  has  disappeared,  never  to  be  heard  of 
more.  He  who  would  rid  the  earth  of  Guilford 
Craig  and  Lawrence  Middleton  would  but  execute 
the  judgment  of  an  outraged  South,  and  he  would  be 
hailed  a  hero." 

Jerry  turned  pale  and  his  hands  trembled,  but  be- 
fore he  could  answer  Mr.  Montague  came  in.  '*  All 
ready,  Lieutenant,  when  you  are,"  he  said.  "  I  trust 
you  have  been  refreshed." 

"  Yes,  thanks  to  you,"  answered  Benton.  "  I  do 
not  know  how  I  can  ever  repay  you  for  your 
kindness." 

"  You  have  already  repaid  me  a  thousand  times 
by  fighting  for  the  South,"  answered  Mr.  Montague 
heartily. 

"  Jerry  tells  me  you  are  all  stanch  Union  men," 
said  Benton. 

"  Certainly,  to  deceive  the  Yankees  is  a  part  of 
our  bible,  and  accounted  an  act  of  righteousness." 

"  Good  gospel,"  laughed  Benton. 

Benton  was  now  ready  to  go,  and  taking  Alcorn's 
hand,  said,  "  Jerry,  I  do  not  know  how  I  can  thank 
you  enough  for  what  you  have  done.     I  trust  it  will 


THE  rXDEEGEOrXD  BAILWAY  91 

not  be  long  before  I  shall  see  you  with  us  in  Price's 
amiy.  I  know  a  grand  career  will  open  up  to  you 
there.  And"  —  here  he  looked  at  Alcorn  ear- 
nestly—  "if  any  accident  happens  to  certain  indi- 
viduals, greater  honor  will  await  you." 

Thus  sowing  the  seeds  of  assassination  in  the 
mind  of  Jerr}-  Alcorn,  Benton  Shelley  went  his  way. 
Did  his  conscience  trouble  him?  No,  his  heart  was 
too  full  of  hatred. 

Benton's  guide,  a  man  named  Murdock,  proved 
to  be  silent,  taciturn.  He  was  heavy  set  and  of 
rather  evil  countenance.  "  Follow  me  and  keep 
quiet,"  were  his  only  words. 

The  way  led  through  the  lawn,  then  up  a  narrow 
lane  with  fields  on  each  side.  The  lane  ended  at  a 
wood,  through  which  wound  a  path.  Soon  they 
came  to  a  road.  Keeping  in  the  shadow  of  the 
wood.  Murdock  halted  and  gave  the  low  call  of  a 
night  bird.  The  call  was  immediately  repeated  on 
the  other  side  of  the  road. 

"  Come  on,  it 's  all  right,"  said  the  guide  crossing 
the  road  to  a  thick  hedge,  the  only  way  through  be- 
ing guarded  by  a  heavy  gate.  By  this  gate  stood  a 
man. 

"How  is  it.  Daniels?"  asked  Murdock. 

"Quiet  as  a  church."  was  the  answer.  "Who 
do  you  pass  through  to-night?  " 

"  Lieutenant  Shellev  of  Price's  armv.     AFr.  Mon- 


92  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA   lUDGE 

tague  tells  me  that  he  is  the  bearer  of  an  important 
message.    That  he  must  get  to  Logan's  by  morning." 

"  Logan?  Why,  he  is  not  on  the  line,"  exclaimed 
the  man  called  Daniels  in  surprise. 

"  I  know,  but  Shelley  is  recently  from  Price  and 
knew  nothing  about  the  line,  but  he  knew  Logan,  so 
he  left  his  horse  at  his  house." 

"  Well,  it 's  a  little  risky,  but  I  will  do  the  best  I 
can.     Must  be  eight  miles  there." 

"  Can't  help  it.  Get  him  there,"  growled  Mur- 
dock,  and  with  a  blunt  good-bye  he  was  gone. 

The  man  Daniels  proved  more  social,  and  much 
more  of  a  talker  than  Murdock. 

"  Tired  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Tired  ?  I  can  hardly  walk.  This  beats  cam- 
paigning all  to  pieces,"  answered  Benton.  "  The 
fact  is,  my  friend,  I  am  about  used  up.  They  found 
me  out  in  the  city  and  I  had  to  run  to  save  my  neck." 

"  Spy,  eh?  Don't  suppose  you  care  about  being 
captured  then?  " 

"  Not  alive,  but  you  do  n't  think  there  is  any  dan- 
ger of  that,  do  you?  "  asked  Benton  nervously. 

"  No,  not  if  I  could  keep  you  in  the  line,  but  to 
get  to  Logan's  we  will  have  to  take  the  road  a  good 
part  of  the  way,  and  that  may  be  dangerous.  Better 
not  say  anything  to  Logan  about  the  line." 

"  Why,  do  you  doubt  Logan's  loyalty  to  the 
South  ?  "  asked  Benton  surprised. 


THE  UXDEliGIiOl'ND  /.'.l/ZJCJi'  93 

"  No,  the  trouble  is,  he  is  loo  blame  loyal  and 
spits  it  out.  Can't  keep  his  tongue  in  place.  Now 
everyone  of  us  connected  with  the  line  are  true  and 
loyal  citizens  of  the  United  States,  dote  on  old  Abe, 
and  worship  the  star  spangled  banner.  We  each 
and  everyone  of  us  have  papers  to  that  effect.   See?  " 

*'  I  see,"  replied  Benton. 

"  To  get  to  Logan's  by  sun  up  you  will  have  to 
have  a  horse.  Dare  not  take  two,  but  I  am  good  on 
a  trot." 

Benton  was  more  than  glad  to  hear  he  wafs  to 
have  a  horse.  Now  that  the  excitement  of  the  last 
five  hours  was  over,  he  felt  completely  exhausted, 
and  knew  that  it  was  utterly  impossible  for  him  to 
walk  the  seven  or  eight  miles,  they  said  it  was  to 
Logan's,  without  a  rest. 

In  due  time  the  horse  was  brought  and  they 
started.  Daniels  proved  he  was  no  boaster  as  far 
as  his  pedestrian  qualities  were  concerned.  He  took 
a  dog-trot  and  kept  it  up. 

After  going  about  a  mile  they  came  to  another 
road  where  again  the  night  call  was  given  and  re- 
peated before  they  ventured  to  cross.  Daniels  held 
a  short  conversation  with  the  man  on  guard,  and 
Benton  heard  him  say,  "  Blamed  if  I  'd  do  it,  Dan- 
iels.    It 's  too  dangerous." 

"  Got  to,"  replied  Daniels.    "  Them  's  the  orders." 

Daniels  then  explained  to  Benton  that  tlicy  had 


94  27//!,'  SCOVT  OF  PEA  HIDGE 

gone  on  the  line  as  far  as  they  could.  They  would 
now  have  to  take  the  main  road.  "  Ruggles,  here, 
thinks  its  dangerous,  but  I  do  n't  look  for  much 
trouble,  if  we  are  careful.  Only  this,  and  mind  what 
I  tell  you,  if  we  hear  any  Yankee  soldiers  coming, 
you  slide  off  and  hide.  Leave  the  rest  to  me.  If 
we  meet  any  soldiers  it  will  be  cavalry  and  we  can 
hear  them." 

They  now  took  the  main  road  and  made  good 
progress.  Only  once  did  they  meet  anyone.  They 
had  gone  about  three  miles,  when  the  tramp  of 
horses  and  jingling  of  sabres  told  that  a  troop  of 
cavalry  was  coming. 

"  Slide,  and  slide  quick,"  said  Daniels. 

Benton  dismounted,  and  nmning  quickly  to  a 
clump  of  bushes  near  the  road  secreted  himself. 
Daniels  mounted  the  horse  and  slowly  jogged 
forward. 

"  Halt,"  exclaimed  the  commander  of  the  troop 
as  Daniels  met  them.  "  Where  to,  my  friend,  this 
time  of  night?  " 

"  Most  mornin',"  drawled  Daniels.  "  Bought  a 
cow  yesterday  of  old  man  Sutton  who  lives  up  the 
road  'bout  five  miles.  Started  early  to  get  her,  so 
as  to  get  back  to  shuck  corn.  I  'm  a  good  Union 
man.  Have  papers  to  show  it,"  and  he  began  to 
feel  in  his  pockets. 

"  No  time  to  look  now.    Go  and  get  your  cow,  but 


THE  UNDEEGnOUXD  EAILUAT  95 

too  many  of  you  fellows  are  good  Union  men  by 
clay  and  guerillas  by  night.  Forward  boys !  "  The 
troop  rode  on. 

"Are  they  all  put  off  as  easy  as  that?""  asked 
Benton  as  he  came  up  and  remounted  the  horse. 

'*  Do  n't  have  much  trouble.  It  pays  to  be  a  good 
Union  man.  I  sell  a  heap  of  stuff  to  the  Yankees, 
big  money." 

They  now  made  rapid  progress  and  just  as  it  be- 
gan to  be  light  Daniels  stopped  and  pointing  to  a 
house  about  half  a  mile  away  on  a  cross  road  said, 
**  That  is  Logan's.  You  will  have  no  trouble  to 
make  it.     I  must  be  going  back." 

"  How  about  that  cow  if  you  should  happen  to 
meet  that  same  troop  of  cavalry?  "  asked  Benton. 

"  Oh  !  Old  Sutton  jumped  the  contract.  Would  n't 
let  me  have  her,  without  I  would  pay  five  dollars 
more.  Would  n't  humor  him.  Well,  good-bye, 
Lieutenant.     Luck  to  you."    And  he  was  off. 

"  A  genius  that,"  said  Benton  as  he  looked  after 
him.  "  What  a  spy  he  would  make."  Then  a  scowl 
came  over  his  face  for  he  thought  of  Guilford. 

Benton  found  the  family  at  Logan's  just  sitting 
down  to  breakfast  and  was  given  a  warm  welcome. 

"  I  have  been  greatly  worried  over  you."  said  Mr. 
Logan.  "  Were  you  successful  in  what  you  wished 
to  find  out  ?  " 

"  Yes,  but  I  had  a  narrow  escape  from  arrest," 


96  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

answered  Benton.  '*  Still,  the  information  I  received 
well  repaid  nie  for  the  danger  encountered." 

"  Have  any  trouble  in  getting  away?  "  asked  his 
host. 

Benton  remembered  what  Daniels  had  said  about 
not  telling  Logan  about  the  line,  so  he  remarked 
lightly,  "  Not  a  great  deal.  Some  friends  helped  me 
slip  through  the  pickets." 

"  Some  of  my  neighbors,"  said  Logan,  "  have 
taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  pretend  to  be  good 
Union  men,  when  I  know  they  are  as  big  Rebels  as 
I  am.  Blamed  if  I  will  do  it.  Lose  everything  I 
liave  first." 

"  Good  for  you,  Mr.  Logan,"  said  Benton.  "  Yet 
the  neighbors  of  whom  you  speak  may  in  a  secret 
way  do  much  for  the  Confederacy  " 

"  Maybe,"  replied  Mr.  Logan  doubtfully. 

Benton  needed  both  sleep  and  rest  and  he  con- 
cluded to  wait  over  until  evening  before  he  started. 
Mr.  Logan  told  him  this  was  a  wise  thing  to  do  as 
scouting  parties  from  St.  Louis  were  numerous. 

Early  in  the  evening,  refreshed  by  a  good  sleep, 
Benton  started  on  his  long  journey.  He  was  now 
clad  in  the  uniform  of  a  Confederate  ofificer  and  he 
knew  that  everyone  he  met  who  sympathized  with 
the  South  would  be  his  friend.  He  had  carefully 
mapped  out  his  route  and  made  good  progress,  tie 
met  with  no  adventure  of  moment  until  in  Webster 


TEE  UNDEEGEOUND  EAILUAY  97 

county  he  heard  the  faint  sound  of  firearms  in 
front,  and  in  a  few  moments  a  number  of  rough- 
looking  men  dressed  in  homespun  came  galloping 
down  the  road.  They  were  armed  with  shot  guns 
and  squirrel  rifles,  and  Benton  knew  at  a  glance  they 
were  guerillas.  He  halted  the  foremost  and  asked 
the  trouble. 

"  Yanks,"  was  the  answer. 

"  How  many?  " 

"  Do  n't  know.  A  right  smart  number."  They 
started  to  ride  on  wdien  Benton  in  a  tone  of  author- 
ity cried,  "  Halt!  " 

"  I  am  ashamed  of  you  men  for  running  before 
you  know  whether  you  have  any  cause  to  run  or 
not,"  he  said. 

In  the  meantime  the  guerillas  had  kept  coming 
until  there  were  fifty  or  sixty  of  them  in  the  road. 

"  Let  every  fourth  man  lead  the  horses  over  the 
brow  of  the  hill  there.  The  rest  of  you  take  position 
along  the  side  of  the  road  in  the  wood  and  when  the 
Yankees  come  give  them  a  warm  reception." 

Just  then  the  leader  of  the  band  who  with  three 
or  four  more  who  had  lingered  to  hold  back  the  en- 
emy, came  up. 

"What's  up?"  he  thundered.  "Why  don't 
yo'uns  git  along?  " 

Just  then  he  spied  Benton.  "  I  halted  your  men. 
Captain.     I  am  not  accustomed  to  see  Confederates 


98  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

run.  In  Price's  army  we  let  the  other  fellows  do  the 
running." 

"  Who  are  yo'un?  "  asked  the  leader  with  an  oath. 

''  I  will  tell  you  when  we  whip  these  Yankees," 
replied  Benton. 

A  squad  of  Federals  had  appeared  up  the  road. 
When  they  saw  the  enemy  had  halted,  they  stopped, 
held  a  consultation  and  then  turned  around  and 
disapi>eared. 

"  They  are  afraid,"  cried  Benton.  "  Order  your 
men  to  mount  and  run  after  them." 

The  leader  shook  his  head.  "  Not  we'uns.  Cap. 
Them  fellers  shoot.  An'  thar  is  too  many  of  them. 
We'uns  never  fight,  w'ithout  we'uns  got  the  under 
hold." 

Benton  was  disgusted,  but  he  saw  it  would  not  do 
to  anger  the  rough  men  around  him,  so  he  said  to 
the  leader,  "  I  believe  your  men  could  whip  the 
whelps,  for  you  have  a  fine  looking  set  of  fellows." 

Here  those  who  heard  began  to  grin,  but  Benton 
went  on.  "  You  asked  who  I  am.  I  am  a  Confed- 
erate officer  on  the  staff  of  General  Price.  The  gen- 
eral is  badly  in  need  of  soldiers  just  such  as  you  men 
w^ould  make.  Why  not  come  with  me  and  join 
Price?     May  I  make  your  men  a  little  speech?  " 

"  If  yo'un  w^ant  to,"  was  the  gruff  answer. 

Benton  then  gave  the  men  a  little  talk  telling  them 
what  honor  would  await  them  if  they  would  join 


THE  UNDEEGEOUi\D  RAILIVAY  99 

Price,  and  how  they  would  hurl  the  Yankee  vandals 
from  the  sacred  soil  of  their  beloved  State. 

The  speech  met  with  a  cool  reception,  and  of  the 
whole  gang  but  two  men  signified  their  willingness 
to  go. 

The  leader,  whose  name  was  Odell,  said  with  a 
grin,  "  Xo  use.  Cap,  the  men  are  like  me.  They 
do  n't  hanker  after  life  in  a  reg'lar  camp.  The 
brush  for  we'uns.  Honest  farmers  when  we'uns 
want  to  be,  and  sogers  when  we'uns  like.  For  sport 
we  hang  a  Union  man  when  we'uns  catch  him.  No, 
Cap,  we'uns  thank  yo'un  for  your  kind  invitation  but 
the  free  and  easy  life  for  us.     Is  n't  that  so,  boys?  " 

"  You  bet,"  they  shouted.    "  No  army  for  us." 

Benton  looked  his  disgust,  but  said  nothing. 
While  he  despised  the  wretches  with  all  his  heart,  he 
knew  it  was  such  bands  as  this  one,  that  kept  a  small 
army  of  Federals  busy,  and  in  this  way  they  were 
helping  the  Confederate  cause. 

Accompanied  by  the  two  men  who  had  volun- 
teered to  go  with  him,  Benton  went  on  his  way,  tak- 
ing a  road  to  the  left  to  avoid  the  Federals,  which 
he  was  aware  was  only  a  scouting  party. 

His  two  recruits  told  him  they  had  come  with  him 
because  they  were  sick  and  disgusted  with  the  cru- 
elty and  barbarity  they  were  not  only  forced  to  see 
but  to  take  part  in.  They  told  tales  of  outrage  and 
murder  that  made  Benton  shudder. 


100  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  Yet,"  said  one  of  the  men,  "  we  had  to  join  the 
band  or  be  victims  of  their  outrages  ourselves.'' 

In  due  time  Benton  reached  his  destination.  He 
found  Price  slowly  falling  back,  his  army  growing 
weaker  each  day  by  desertions.  It  was  evident  many 
of  his  men,  like  Odell's  gang,  had  no  relish  to  be- 
come regular  soldiers.  They  had  rather  take  to  the 
brush  and  become  guerillas. 

"  Back,  so  soon,"  cried  General  Price  when  he  saw 
Benton.  "  I  am  so  glad  you  are  back  safely.  But 
what  news?     What  news?" 

"  General,"  replied  Benton,  "  my  suspicions  were 
correct.  You  have  been  betrayed  by  as  foul  a  traitor 
as  ever  lived." 

The  general  turned  pale.  "  And  I  trusted  him  so, 
because  he  was  a  Craig,"  he  gasped. 

Recovering  his  composure  he  said,  "  Lieutenant, 
you  look  w^ary  and  must  be  so.  Rest,  and  this 
evening  make  a  full  report." 

That  evening  Benton  found  gathered  at  head- 
quarters not  only  all  the  members  of  General  Price's 
staff,  but  the  principal  generals  of  the  army.  They 
listened  to  Benton's  story  with  the  closest  attention, 
and  it  must  be  said  he  told  it  well.  One  thing  he  did 
not  tell  and  that  was  that  he  was  indebted  to  Guil- 
ford for  his  life. 

The  feelings  of  Generals  Price  and  Frost  can  be 
imagined   as   they  listened   to  how   they   had  been 


THE  UNDERGBOUND  BAILWAY  101 

duped  by  a  mere  boy.  As  for  General  Frost,  lie  was 
white  with  rage. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  that  traitor  had 
duplicate  keys  to  my  desk  while  he  was»acting  as  my 
orderly  ?  "  he  roared. 

"  That  is  what  he  said,"  answered  Benton. 
"  Moreover  he  told  me  to  tell  you  that  he  gloried  in 
his  treachery,  and  whatever  you  might  think  of  it, 
he  could  never  equal  the  deceit  and  hypocrisy  you 
practised  in  trying  to  deceive  Lyon." 

A  faint  smile  was  seen  to  play  around  the  lips  of 
some  of  the  officers  present,  as  Benton  said  this,  for 
many  believed  that  Frost  should  have  let  Basil  Duke 
and  Colton  Green  have  their  way.  and  struck  boldly, 
and  not  have  tried  a  game  of  tricker}'.  If  Duke  and 
Green  had  been  j)ermitted  to  carry  out  their  pro- 
gramme of  March  4  they  believed  the  arsenal  could 
have  been  taken. 

As  for  Frost  he  was  wild  when  he  heard  what 
Guilford  had  said.  "  I  will  never  rest,"  he  shouted, 
"until  I  see  that  traitor  hung — hung  higher  than 
Haman." 

While  General  Price  deeply  felt  the  deception 
which  had  been  practised  on  him,  he  did  not  let  his 
face  betray  his  feelings. 

"  Gentlemen,  what  is  past  cannot  be  helped,"  be 
said  calmly.  "  Now  that  Guilford  Craig  has  been 
unmasked,  he  can  do  us  no  more  harm.     But  we 


102  THE  tiCOVT  OF  VEA  RIDGE 

have  a  duty  to  perform,  that  of  rewarding  the  brave 
and  gallant  officer  who  freely  exposed  his  life  that 
the  traitor  might  be  discovered.  Lieutenant  Shelley, 
stand  up." 

Benton  arose,  his  face  glowing  with  pride. 

"  Gentlemen,"  resumed  the  general,  "  allow  me  to 
introduce  to  you,  not  Lieutenant  Shelley  but  Captain 
Shelley;  and  never  was  a  promotion  more  richly 
deserved." 

The  room  rang  with  the  loud  huzzahs  of  the  of- 
ficers, and  they  crowded  around  Benton  to  shake 
hands.  It  was  one  of  the  proudest  moments  that 
Benton  had  ever  known. 

General  Price,  now  aware  that  the  despatches 
which  he  had  intrusted  to  Guilford  were  in  the 
hands  of  the  Federals,  and  that  the  weakness  of  his 
army  was  known,  made  preparations  to  fall  back. 
He  did  so  deliberately,  having  little  fear  that  Fre- 
mont would  strike,  as  Lyon  w^ould  have  done, 
swiftly  and  surely. 

About  a  week  after  Benton  had  returned  he  was 
amazed  to  see  riding  into  camp  Jerry  Alcorn  and 
with  him  six  others. 

Benton's  heart  gave  a  quick  throb  when  he  saw 
them.  Had  Jerry  acted  on  his  suggestion  and  Guil- 
ford and  Lawrence  been  assassinated?  He  was  in  a 
quiver  of  excitement  and  rushing  up  to  Jerry 
grasped  him  by  the  hand. 


THE  rXDERGEOrXD  RAIUVAY  103 

"  What  is  it.  Jerry?  "'  lie  asked.     "  What  news?  " 
'*  Come  to  get  that  commission  you  spoke  about." 
rcpHed  Jerry  grinning. 

"  But  —  but  —  has  anything  happened?  " 
"  Lots,  or  we  would  n't  be  here.  The  traitors  still 
live,  thanks  to  Dickey  Holbrook,  who  tried  to  be  the 
whole  thing,  curse  him!  But  Dickey  did  the  brave 
thing  at  last,  and  warned  us;  though  I  sometimes 
think  he  gave  us  away  first.  He  or  someone  of  the 
boys  did,  for  the  Federals  got  on  to  the  whole  plot, 
where  we  had  our  rendezvous  and  everything.  But 
no  more  now.  I  have  warned  all  the  boys  to  keep 
their  mouths  shut.  We  have  come  to  join  Price;  not 
a  word  why  we  had  to  leave." 

A  crowd  had  begim  to  gather,  and  Benton  saw 
that  it  was  wise  not  to  say  more.  That  evening 
Jerry  told  him  the  whole  story,  and  how  he  had 
failed  to  murder  Guilford  Craig. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

LAWRENCE  IS   PROMOTED 

WHEN    Guilford    Craig    left    his    father's 
house,  he  went  to  an  obscure  hotel  where 
he  engaged  a  room.     He  felt  that  he  had 
Imrned  every  bridge  behind  him,  that  he  was  as  a 
stranger  in  a  strange  land. 

His  first  thought  was  to  flee  the  city  without  let- 
ting even  Lawrence  know,  and  under  another  name 
and  in  other  fields  seek  new  adventures.  He  had 
been  paid  liberally  both  by  General  Lyon  and  Gen- 
eral Price,  and  this  added  to  what  he  had  been  sav- 
ing for  years  from  the  allowance  given  him  by  his 
father  gave  him  several  thousand  dollars,  so  there 
was  no  danger  of  immediate  want. 

One  thing  he  was  fully  determined  to  carry  out  to 
the  very  letter  —  that  was,  to  be  dead  to  all  who 
knew  him.  To  do  this  neither  friend  nor  foe  must 
know  w^hat  name  he  assumed  or  where  he  went.  I 
will  go  East,  he  thought.  It  will  be  around  W^ash- 
ington  that  the  great  battles  of  the  war  will  be 
fought.  In  the  vast  army  gathering  there  I  will  in- 
deed be  as  one  dead. 

104 


LAWllEXCE  IS  I'nOMOTED  105 

Then  as  if  some  good  angel  had  whispered  to  him 
he  said,  "  I  cannot  go  without  first  seeing  Lawrence. 
I  promised  to  see  him  this  morning,  both  him  and 
Blair.  I  would  be  false  to  them  if  I  went  away 
without  telling  them  what  has  happened." 

While  thinking,  he  mechanically  put  his  hand  in 
his  pocket,  and  felt  a  package  of  letters,  letters  he 
had  brought  from  officers  in  Price's  army  to  be  de- 
livered to  friends  in  St.  Louis.  Li  the  stress  of 
events  he  had  not  yet  examined  them.  Among  them 
was  one  written  by  General  Price  to  a  leading  seces- 
sionist of  the  city.  Now  that  he  was  discovered 
there  was  no  occasion  for  the  letters  ever  to  be  de- 
livered, but  Lawrence  and  Blair  must  see  them, 
especially  the  one  from  General  Price.  It  might  be 
very  important,  for  the  general  had  cautioned  Guil- 
ford to  deliver  it  only  into  the  hands  of  the  one  to 
whom  it  was  addressed.  Finding  the  letters  only 
confirmed  Guilford  in  the  thought  that  he  must  see 
Lawrence,  before  he  took  his  plunge  into  the 
unknown. 

He  had  little  heart  for  breakfast,  but  he  managed 
to  drink  a  cup  of  coffee  and  eat  a  few  mouthfuls  be- 
fore he  started  for  the  home  of  Alfred  Middleton  to 
meet  Lawrence.  It  was  yet  early,  and  but  few  were 
stirring,  for  which  he  was  glad.  He  did  meet  one  he 
knew.  One,  who  had  a  son  in  Price's  army,  and 
he  could  hardly  get  away  from  him,  so  eager  was  he 


106  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  Til  DOE 

for  Guilford  to  tell  him  the  news.  Guilford  told 
him  what  he  wished  to  know,  and  as  the  gentleman 
left  he  wrung  Guilford's  hand  with  tears  in  his  eyes 
saying,  "  God  bless  you,  Guilford  Craig,  for  what 
you  are  doing  for  the  South." 

As  Guilford  looked  after  him  an  expression  of 
pain  came  over  his  face,  and  he  murmured,  "  He 
do  n't  know  now,  but  he  will  in  a  few  hours,  and 
then  Guilford  Craig  will  be  a  devil." 

A  moment  later  he  came  face  to  face  with  Jerry 
Alcorn.  Jerry  gave  a  startled  look  and  darted  up 
an  alley. 

"  Fool  to  run,"  said  Guilford.  "  He  might  know 
if  I  wanted  to  have  him  arrested  all  I  would  have 
to  do,  is  to  call  a  patrol.  He  must  have  got  Bent 
safely  away.     I  am  glad  of  it." 

If  Guilford  had  known  what  w^as  in  the  thoughts 
of  Jerry  at  that  moment  he  would  have  regretted 
that  he  let  him  escape. 

It  was  hardly  eight  o'clock  when  he  knocked  at 
the  door  of  Alfred  Middleton's  residence,  and  asked 
if  Lieutenant  Middleton  was  in. 

"  Be  yo'  Massa  Craig?  "  asked  the  butler. 

"  Yes." 

"  Den,  sah,  de  Lootenant  is  in.  Jest  had  brek- 
fast.    Told  me  to  tak  yo'  right  up  to  his  room." 

Lawrence  met  Guilford  with  outstretched  hand. 


LAWRENCE  IS  PROMOTED  107 

"  I  'm  so  glad  to  see  yon,"  he  cried.  "  I  hardly 
slept  a  wink  last  night  thinking  of  you,  and  that  yon 
might  be  in  danger." 

Lawrence  stopped  suddenly  and  gazed  into  the 
face  of  his  friend.  "  Guilford,  what  is  the  matter? 
\\'hat  has  happened?  You  look  as  if  you  had  just 
arisen  from  a  bed  of  sickness,"  he  exclaimed  with 
much  feeling. 

Guilford's  haggard  face  told  that  he  had  been  suf- 
fering. He  smiled  wanly  and  said,  "  Xot  sick,  Law- 
rence, but  I  have  suffered  since  last  I  saw  you.  In 
fact,  I  have  been  through,  as  it  were,  the  fires  of 
purgatory." 

Lawrence  took  his  hand ;  it  was  hot  and  feverish ; 
and  leading  him  to  a  seat  said  gently,  "  Xow  tell  me 
all  about  it.     It  will  do  you  good." 

"  In  the  first  place,"  said  Guilford,  "  I  must  tell 
you  that  my  days  as  a  spy  for  General  Price  are 
over.  Bent  has  discovered  everything,  and  is  now 
on  his  way  back  to  Price." 

Guilford  then  gave  a  full  detail  of  all  that  had 
happened  since  he  parted  with  Lawrence  the  night 
before.  Lawrence  listened  with  breathless  attention, 
now  and  then  asking  a  question. 

When  Guilford  told  of  his  encounter  with  Benton 
and  how  near  he  had  come  to  killing  him,  Lawrence 
cried,  "  I  'm  glad  you  did  n't  do  it,  Guilford.     I  'm 


JOS  TRE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  JUDGE 

glad  you  did  n't  do  it.  It  would  have  been  dreadful. 
In  your  father's  house  too." 

"  He  can  thank  his  mother  for  his  life,"  said 
Guilford. 

Then  he  told  of  his  letter  to  his  father  and  what 
he  had  written ;  and  Lawrence  cried,  "  You  are  not 
going  to  do  that,  Guilford." 

"  I  am  going  to  do  just  that,"  answered  Guilford 
sullenly,  "  and  do  you  know,  I  came  near  not  coming 
to  see  you  at  all." 

"  Guilford,  what  would  I,  what  would  Blair  have 
thought  ?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  That  is  the  only  thing  that  made  me  come,"  ex- 
claimed Guilford.  "  I  could  not  bear  that  you  and 
Blair  should  think  me  false.  Then  I  have  some  let- 
ters that  Blair  should  see." 

When  Guilford  was  through,  Lawrence  sat  in 
deep  thought  for  a  moment,  and  then  said,  "  Guil- 
ford, are  you  fully  determined  to  do  what  you  wrote 
your  father?  " 

"  Yes,  nothing  can  change  me.  From  this  time 
Guilford  Craig  is  dead." 

"  I  am  going  to  give  you  a  little  solid  advice, 
Guilford.  But  first  let  me  tell  you  a  little  of  my 
own  histoiy.  You  know  nothing  of  my  early  life. 
Few  do  in  St.  Louis." 

Lawrence  then  told  him  w^hat  had  happened  to  his 
father  and  himself  in  Missouri  and  Kansas. 


LAWEEXCE  IS  PRU MUTED  109 

"  So  you  see,"  continued  Lawrence,  "  slavery  took 
from  me  a  dear  father.  Like  you  I  hate  slavery,  but 
not  the  people  who  own  slaves.  Think  of  what  Judge 
Lindsley  did  for  me;  think  of  how  Uncle  Alfred 
took  me  in  and  cared  for  me.  Can  I  hate  those  who 
have  befriended  me?     No,  never. 

"  This  war  is  not  waged  against  a  people  nor 
against  slavery,  but  for  the  preservation  of  the 
cM-andcst  nation  on  earth.  If  it  is  necessary  for  its 
preservation  that  slavery  must  go,  it  will  go  in  due 
time,  and  I  am  beginning  to  think  it  must  go.  If  it 
does,  you  and  I  will  rejoice. 

"  Guilford,  you  have  had  a  loveless  childhood  and 
you  have  became  morbid  on  the  sn])ject  of  your  real 
and  fancied  wrongs.  It  is  wrong  for  you  to  feel  as 
you  do  tow^ards  your  father ;  yes,  even  towards  your 
step-mother  and  Benton.  Think  of  the  grief  you 
are  causing  your  father.  To  do  as  you  say  you  will 
do,  would  be  worse  for  him  than  to  see  you  dead." 

"  You  do  n't  understand,"  exclaimed  Guilford, 
a  gleam  of  anger  in  his  eyes.  "  If  all  you  have  to 
cay  is  to  lecture  me,  I  might  as  well  go.  As  for  my 
father  I  have  already  caused  him  all  the  pain  I  can. 
He  would  rejoice  if  I  had  died  before  I  became  a 
traitor  to  all  he  holds  dear.  You  well  know  that  I 
will  be  loathed,  execrated  by  all  my  people,  and  all 
who  ever  knew  me.  No,  it  is  for  my  father's  sake 
I  have  determined  to  become  as  one  dead." 


110  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  Guilford,  forgive  me,"  said  Lawrence,  and  tears 
came  into  his  eyes  as  he  said  it.  "  I  now  see  that  for 
the  present,  as  far  as  your  father  is  concerned,  you 
are  right.  In  the  future  it  may  be  different.  But, 
Guilford,  do  n't  go  away,  do  n't  bury  yourself  in  the 
Eastern  army.    You  may  be  needed  here." 

"  I  can  see  no  way  of  doing  more  here,"  said  Guil- 
ford. "  You  have  been  ordered  to  your  regiment  by 
Fremont.  You  are  no  longer  a  staff  officer  of  Gen- 
eral Lyon.  As  for  me,  now  that  I  am  known  for 
what  I  am,  I  see  nothing  more  I  can  do  here.  Law- 
rence, I  would  like  to  stay  with  you,  to  work  with 
you,  if  things  were  as  they  were  with  Lyon.  But 
now  I  have  no  heart  to  work.  Fremont  is  a  failure, 
a  dead  failure.     He  is  losing  all  that  Lyon  gained." 

"  Give  Fremont  a  little  time,"  said  Lawrence.  "  I 
hear  he  is  about  to  make  a  forward  movement." 

"  Too  late  to  catch  Price  now,"  answered  Guil- 
ford. "  Lawrence,  I  must  bid  you  good-bye,  you 
will  never  see  Guilford  Craig  again." 

"Guilford,  if  you  must  go,  don't  go  yet,"  cried 
Lawrence.  "  Remember  you  promised  to  see  Blair 
this  morning.  That  is.  I  promised  to  bring  you  with 
me  to  see  him." 

"Blair!  Blair!  That  makes  me  think  I  have 
some  letters  yet  which  I  brought  from  the  Confed- 
erate camp,  which  I  have  not  yet  looked  over.  Now 
they  can  be  examined  and  thrown  aw^ay.     One  of 


LAWEEyCE  IS  PROMOTED  111 

them  is  from  General  Price  himself  to  Judge  Pent- 
worth.     That  may  be  valuable." 

Thus  saying,  Guilford  reached  into  his  pocket  and 
drew  forth  several  letters.  They  lost  no  time  in 
looking  them  over.  The  letter  to  the  Judge,  while 
cautious,  was  a  piteous  plea  to  him  to  use  all  his  in- 
fluence to  urge  the  people  to  come  to  his  support. 
"  The  great  majority  of  those  who  come  to  me," 
Price  wrote,  "  refuse  to  go  out  of  the  State.  They 
will  not  enlist  as  soldiers  in  the  service  of  the  Con- 
federacy. If  I  fall  back  —  and  fall  back  I  must  if 
Fremont  makes  an  advance  —  they  will  desert  by 
hundreds." 

"  Fremont  must  see  this  letter,"  said  Lawrence. 

"  Not  until  Blair  sees  it,"  said  Guilford.  "  I  have 
no  dealings  with  Fremont." 

"  Then  let  us  go  to  Blair  at  once,"  exclaimed 
Lawrence. 

"  Xot  L"  said  Guilford.  "  You  can  take  it.  Tell 
Blair  good-bye  for  me." 

Lawrence  put  his  hand  on  Guilford's  shoulder, 
and  looking  in  his  face  said.  "  Guilford,  you  and  I 
have  worked  together  for  a  long  time.  Now  I  want 
you  to  make  me  one  promise,  that  you  will  not  go 
until  after  I  see  Blair  and  after  I  see  you  once  more. 
Promise  me  this."  and  Lawrence's  voice  trembled  as 
he  said  it. 

Guilford  hesitated  and  then  replied.  "  For  the  love 


112  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

of  you,  Lawrence,  I  will  grant  your  request.  Come 
this  evening  to  where  I  am  staying."  He  gave  him 
the  street  and  number. 

The  two  boys  shook  hands  and  parted.  Guilford 
to  return  to  his  obscure  hotel  and  remain  secluded, 
and  Lawrence  to  see  Blair,  who  was  about  to  start 
for  Washington. 

To  Blair  Lawrence  told  Guilford's  story,  only 
keeping  back  the  fact  that  Guilford  had  aided  Ben- 
ton to  escape,  thinking  that  Blair  would  not  like  it. 
He  was  glad,  for  when  Blair  heard  that  Benton  had 
escaped  he  exclaimed  vehemently,  "  \Miy  did  n't 
Craig  shoot  the  villain  in  spite  of  his  mother?  So 
it  is  all  up  with  young  Craig  as  to  his  playing  the 
Confederate  spy  any  longer." 

"  Yes,  but  here  are  some  letters  he  brought  from 
the  Confederate  camp,"*  said  Lawrence.  "  One  is 
from  General  Price  to  Judge  Pentworth." 

Blair  took  the  letters  and  hastily  glanced  them 
over.  "If  Guilford  Craig  never  did  anything  be- 
fore," exclaimed  Blair.  "  the  delivery  of  these  let- 
ters entitles  him  to  the  gratitude  of  every  Union 
man.  Fremont  must  see  them  at  once.  I  under- 
stand he  goes  to  Jefferson  City  to-morrow.  If  he 
does  not  act  on  them  and  strike  Price  quick  and 
hard,  I  would  not  give  much  for  his  generalship. 

"  Come.  Lieutenant,  I  want  you  to  go  with  me." 

*M\']iat!'"  asked  Lawrence  in  surprise.     "After 


LAWRENCE  IS  PROMOTED  113 

what  occurred  yesterday?     Von  know  he  ordered  me 
to  report  to  my  regiment." 

"  ^^'hich  order  I  asked  him  to  h(->ld  in  abeyance," 
repHed  Bkiir. 

When  Blair  and  Lawrence  arrived  at  head- 
quarters they  found  everything  in  confusion,  for 
Fremont  was  about  to  go  to  Jefferson  City  to 
assume  personal  command  of  the  amiy. 

"  Tell  the  General  I  wish  to  see  him  on  very  im- 
portant business  ami  in  private,"  said  Blair  to  a  staff 
officer. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  officer  returned  saying  Fre- 
mont would  receive  him. 

As  they  entered  the  august  presence  of  Fremont, 
the  General  stared  at  Law  rence  and  then  said  curtly, 
"  Mr.  Blair,  I  thought  you  wished  to  see  me  in 
private." 

*'  So  I  do,"  replied  Blair,  "  but  as  Lieutenant 
]\Iiddleton  is  so  intimately  connected  with  what  I 
want  to  say  I  brought  him  along.  But,  General,  first 
read  this  letter."  He  handed  Fremont  the  letter  of 
General  Price  to  Judge  Pentworth. 

Fremont  read  the  letter  through  and  looked  up  in 
astonishment.  "Who  gave  you  this  letter?"  he 
asked  abruptly. 

"  Lieutenant  Middlcton."   replied  Blair. 

"  .-Xnd  how  did  you  come  by  it?  "  asked  the  gen- 
eral turning  to  Lawrence. 


il4  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

"  It  was  given  to  me  by  one  of  my  scouts," 
ciuietly  answered  Lawrence. 

"Your  scouts?  Your  scouts?  How  came  you  to 
have  scouts?"  asked  Fremont,  his  tone  showing 
both  surprise  and  anger. 

"  The  General  forgets  that  I  was  the  chief  of  the 
Secret  Service  of  General  Lyon,"  answered  Law- 
rence, "  and  that  I  employed  scouts  and  spies  who 
reported  to  me  only." 

"  You,  you  the  head  of  General  Lyon's  secret 
service?  Why  you  are  nothing  but  a  boy,"  replied 
Fremont  with  a  look  of  incredulity. 

Before  Lawrence  could  reply,  Blair  said,  "  Gen- 
eral Fremont,  Lieutenant  Middleton  speaks  the 
truth.  Young  as  he  is  it  was  through  him  and  the 
spy  through  whose  hands  this  letter  came,  that  we 
were  able  to  thwart  the  machinations  of  the  enemy." 

"  But  how  did  the  spy  get  hold  of  this  letter?  " 
asked  Fremont. 

"  I  suppose  Price  gave  it  to  him,"  answered  Blair 
with  a  smile.  "  To  be  brief,  General,  this  spy  of 
Lieutenant  Middleton's  is  supposed  to  be  a  good 
Confederate,  a  trusted  spy  of  General  Price's." 

"  Where  is  he?  Can  I  get  him?  "  asked  Fremont 
greatly  interested. 

"  He  has  Ijeen  discovered,  I  regret  to  say,"  re- 
plied Blair.  "  Bringing  these  letters  is  his  last  trip. 
But,  General,  the  letter  of  Price's  is  important." 


LAWEENCE  IS  PROMOTED  US 

"  It  is,"  answered  Fremont.  "  It  bears  out  what 
my  own  scouts  have  reported.  I  shall  move  on  Price 
the  earliest  moment  I  can  concentrate  my  forces." 

'*  Be  careful  he  does  not  slip  through  your  fingers, 
General,"  said  Blair.  "  But  to  come  to  the  point  on 
which  I  came  to  see  you.  You  know  how  important 
it  is  that  you  should  receive  as  correct  news  as  pos- 
sible as  to  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  There  is 
no  one  in  the  army  who  can  furnish  you  the  news 
as  correctly  as  Lieutenant  Middleton  here.  Yester- 
day you  ordered  him  to  his  regiment.  Pardon  me, 
but  I  think  you  made  a  mistake.  You  should  keep 
Lieutenant  Middleton  in  your  service;  if  not  on 
your  staff,  at  the  head  of  an  independent  company 
of  scouts.  You  will  find  that  he  will  be  of  inestima- 
ble value  to  you." 

Fremont  sat  for  a  time,  as  if  in  deep  thought.  He 
was  well  aware  that  so  far  his  administration  of  af- 
fairs in  Missouri  had  been  a  failure.  He  had  come 
in  conflict  with  President  Lincoln  and  been  forced  to 
withdraw  his  famous  proclamation  that  the  slaves  of 
all  secessionists  in  the  State  should  be  free,  thus  an- 
ticipating Lincoln's  proclamation  by  over  a  year. 
The  fall  of  Lexington  added  to  his  unpopularity, 
and  there  went  up  from  all  over  the  country  a  de- 
mand for  his  removal.  No  one  knew  better  than 
Fremont  that  his  keeping  the  command  of  the  De- 
partment  of   Missouri   hung  by   a   slender   thread 


116  TEE  aCODT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

which  might  be  snapped  at  any  time.  The  fah  of 
Lexington  must  be  avenged,  or  his  fate  was  sealed. 
To  do  what  Blair  asked  would  do  no  harm,  it  might 
do  good.  So  lie  said,  "  Blair,  from  what  you  have 
told  me  Lieutenant  Middleton  may,  as  commander 
of  an  independent  company  of  scouts,  render  im- 
portant service.  I  have  no  place  for  him  on  my 
stafif,  but  I  will  give  him  full  authority  to  raise  such 
a  company  as  he  wishes.  Let  him  call  at  four  o'clock 
this  afternoon.  All  the  necessary  papers  for  this  in- 
dependent command  will  be  ready.  I  am  now  very 
busy  or  I  would  have  further  talk  with  the  Lieuten- 
ant, as  I  have  been  much  interested  in  what  I  have 
heard.     Good  day." 

Lawrence  had  listened  to  this  conversation  be- 
tween Fremont  and  Blair  with  the  greatest  surprise. 
He  had  not  the  least  inkling  as  to  what  Blair  was 
to  ask,  but  when  alone  he  grasped  the  hand  of  his 
friend  and  said,  "  You  must  have  read  my  thoughts, 
for  you  asked  for  what  I  most  desired.  I  hope  I 
can  now  keep  Guilford  Craig." 

"  Ah,  my  boy,  I  know  you,"  answered  Blair 
laughing.  "  I  only  wish  I  could  be  here  to  help  you 
organize  your  company.  But  I  have  no  fears.  Get 
that  company  together,  for  I  may  need  you  after  a 
time.  In  all  probability  I  shall  resign  my  seat  in 
Congress  and  accept  a  command  in  the  army." 


LAWRENCE  IS  PROMOTED  I17 

Thus  saying,  he  shook  Lawrence  warmly  by  the 
hand  and  went  his  way. 

Lawrence  was  highly  elated.  He  could  hardly 
wait  until  four  o'clock,  when  he  was  to  receive  the 
necessary  authority  to  raise  his  company. 

At  the  appointed  time  he  returned  to  headquarters, 
and  the  adjutant  general  placed  the  coveted  papers 
in  his  hand.  They  were  full  and  complete.  They 
gave  him  full  authority  to  raise  a  company  of  not 
more  than  fifty  men,  and  he  was  to  act  independ- 
ently, but  should  report  as  often  as  necessary  to  the 
general  in  command,  nearest  the  point  where  he  was 
acting. 

But  the  best  of  all,  with  the  order  was  a  commis- 
sion as  captain.  This  almost  took  Lawrence's  breath 
away.    It  was  more  than  he  had  ever  dared  to  hope. 

"  Now  to  Guilford,"  he  exclaimed,  "  with  the 
good  news.  I  do  hope  I  can  get  that  foolish  notion 
of  his  of  going  away,  out  of  his  head." 


CHAPTER  IX 

A    MURDEROUS    PLOT    FOILED 

THE  clock  was  striking  seven  as  Lawrence  en- 
tered the  little  hotel  where  Guilford  was 
staying.  He  asked  for  John  Jackson,  for 
Guilford  had  told  him  he  registered  under  that 
name. 

The  hotel  keeper  looked  at  Lawrence  suspiciously, 
for  a  Federal  officer  was  not  often  a  visitor,  and 
when  one  came,  it  generally  meant  trouble. 

The  hotel  keeper  wrinkled  his  brow.  "  John  Jack- 
son. John  Jackson,"  he  said  in  a  tone  of  deep 
thought.  "  I  believe  there  was  a  feller  of  that  name 
who  stopped  here,  but  he  is  gone." 

"  I  know  better,"  exclaimed  Lawrence.  "  Show 
me  to  his  room  immediately,  or  it  will  be  the  worse 
for  you." 

"  He  said  he  was  going  to-day,  anyway,"  sput- 
tered the  hotel  keeper.  "His  room  is  Nmnber  ii. 
I  will  go  and  see  if  he  is  in." 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  will  go  myself,"  said 
Lawrence. 

The  hotel  keeper  muttered  something  under  his 
118 


A  MUBDEROrS  PLOT  FOILED  119 

breath,  and  then  said,  "  \'en-  well,  up  stairs  to  the 
right." 

Lawrence  tapped  at  the  door  of  1 1  and  it  was 
opened  by  Guilford  himself,  but  disguised  as  Charles 
Morris. 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  Lawrence.  I  am  all  ready  to 
move.    I  take  the  eleven  o'clock  train  for  the  East." 

"  Oh,  Guilford,  I  have  great  news  to  tell  you," 
exclaimed  Lawrence.  "  You  are  not  going  East. 
You  are  going  to  stay  with  me.     Listen." 

Lawrence  then  told  him  of  his  independent  com- 
mand and  of  his  being  commissioned  as  captain. 
'*  Just  think  what  it  means,  Guilford.  I  want  you  to 
be  one  of  my  lieutenants." 

Guilford  shook  his  head.  "  I  am  glad  for  your 
sake,"  he  answered.  "  But  how  can  I  stay  ?  Have  I 
not  told  you  Guilford  Craig  is  dead?" 

"  Guilford,  you  must  stay,"  cried  Lawrence.  "  I 
will  have  no  heart  to  raise  my  company  if  you  do 
not.  Think  how  we  have  worked  together  for  the 
past  months.  Guilford  Craig  may  be  dead,  but 
Charles  Morris  is  not." 

This  was  a  happy  .thought.  "  Morris  was  my 
mother's  maiden  name.  I  have  a  right  to  it,"  said 
Guilford,  "  but  even  in  my  disguise  I  have  been 
seen." 

"  Only  at  night."  replied  Lawrence.  "  Then  only 
by  two  or  three  and  you  were  only  identified  as  Guil- 


120  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA   TJDGE 

ford  Craig  by  Jerry  Alcorn  trailing  you  home.  Why 
not  come  in  my  company  as  Charles  Morris?'" 

"  Let  me  think,"  said  Guilford  wavering.  "  I  had 
so  fully  made  up  my  mind  to  go  away  that  1  cannot 
imagine  it  otherwise.  Do  n't  speak  to  me,  Lawrence, 
just  let  me  think." 

Guilford  sat  down,  leaned  his  head  on  his  hands 
and  remained  for  some  time  in  a  deep  study.  At  last 
he  raised  his  head  and  said  slowly,  "  I  will  remain 
with  you,  Lawrence,  if  we  can  agree  on  certain  con- 
ditions, not  otherwise." 

"  Name  your  conditions,"  replied  Lawrence 
eagerly. 

"  First :  You  must  not  enlist  in  your  company  a 
single  man  who  already  knows  me.  All  must  be 
strangers. 

"  Second :  You  must  never  reveal  my  identity, 
even  if  I  should  fall.  Charles  Morris  I  must  be  in 
death,  as  well  as  in  life." 

"  Must  I  never  tell  your  father  if  —  if  you  should 
be  killed,  which  I  hope  will  never  be  ? "  asked 
Lawrence. 

"  Above  everyone,  not  him.  To  him  I  am  now 
dead.  Let  it  be  so.  Promise  me  faithfully,  or  I 
start  East  to-night." 

"  I  promise,"  said  Lawrence,  "  but  I  see  I  must 
now  enlist  my  company  out  of  St.  Louis,  lest  by 
chance  I  get  some  one  who  may  know  you." 


A  MUEDEEOrS  PLOT  FOILED  121 

"  Then  it  is  settled."  said  Guilford.  "  Lawrence, 
your  liand." 

Lawrence  gave  him  his  hand  and  Guilford  looked 
into  his  face  long  and  earnestly.  At  last  he  spoke. 
*'  I  can  trust  you,  Lawrence.  Look  for  the  last  time 
into  the  face  of  Guilford  Craig.  Never  call  me  by 
that  name  again.  Guilford  Craig  is  now  dead,  but 
Charles  Morris  lives." 

When  afterwards  Lawrence  knew  how  the  name 
of  Guilford  Craig  was  execrated  by  all  who  knew 
him;  how  Mr.  Craig  would  not  allow  his  name  to 
be  spoken,  and  proclaimed  to  the  world  that  he  had 
no  son,  he  felt  that  Guilford  was  not  far  wrong. 

The  next  two  days  were  busy  ones  to  Lawrence 
for  he  was  making  preparations  to  leave  for  the 
northern  part  of  the  State,  where  he  expected  to 
raise  his  company.  During  this  time,  Charles  Mor- 
ris, for  by  this  name  Guilford  must  now  be  called, 
remained  quietly  at  his  hotel.  But  death  was  not 
only  on  his  track,  but  on  the  track  of  Lawrence  as 
well,  though  they  knew  it  not. 

The  words  of  Benton  Shelley  had  sunk  deep  into 
the  heart  of  Jerry  Alcorn.  Jerry,  by  birth  poor  and 
belonging  to  a  stratum  of  society  which  was  looked 
down  upon  by  the  slave-holding  portion  of  the  city 
as  no  better  than  "  niggers,"  had  keenly  felt  his 
position,  for  he  had  ambitions,  and  also  some  ability. 

By  the  time  he  was  twenty  he  had  gathered  quite 


122  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

a  political  following,  and  was  able  to  get  enough  in- 
fluence to  be  appointed  a  policeman.  This  position 
he  lost  by  refusing  to  obey  commands  in  the  trouble- 
some days  before  the  war  came.  He  was  an  ardent 
Rebel,  for  he  believed  that  the  black  Republicans 
with  Abe  Lincoln  at  their  head  were  trying  to  make 
the  nigger  just  as  good  as  a  white  man,  and  this 
Jerry  resisted  with  all  his  soul. 

It  seems  to  be  a  part  of  human  nature  for  one 
stratum  of  society  to  look  down  upon  and  despise  the 
strata  supposed  to  be  beneath  it.  As  the  slave-hold- 
ing population  of  the  South  despised  "  the  poor  white 
trash,"  "  the  poor  white  trash  "  despised  the  negro. 
The  belief  that  the  war  was  waged  to  make  the 
negro  their  equal,  made  them  as  ardent  secessionists 
as  their  slave-holding  brothers. 

It  was  this  belief  that  drove  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  the  poor  whites  into  the  Confederate  army, 
and  made  them  the  best  soldiers  in  the  world.  Ac- 
customed to  look  up  to  and  honor  the  slave-holder 
as  a  superior  being,  they  obeyed  orders  without  a 
murmur,  and  fought  with  desperation. 

Thousands  upon  thousands  of  the  poor  whites  of 
the  South  fell  upon  the  battlefield  that  slavery  might 
live,  and  yet  slavery  was  as  great  a  curse  to  them  as 
it  was  to  the  negro. 

Jerry  Alcorn  was  no  stranger  to  violence.  During 
the  rioting  in  St.  Louis  he  had  assisted  in  beating  to 


A  MUBDEBOUS  PLOT  FOILED  123 

death  two  or  three  of  the  hated  ''  Dutch."  Naturally 
brutal  by  nature,  he  had  little  moral  scruple  in  act- 
ing on  the  suggestion  of  Benton  Shelley.  The  hint 
that  the  assassination  of  such  a  traitor  as  Guilford 
Craig  might  not  only  win  him  honor,  but  might  lead 
to  a  commission,  took  possession  of  him. 

Jerry  was  vain  and  fond  of  display.  He  remem- 
bered how  grand  the  officers  of  Frost's  militia  looked 
as  they  rode  forth  to  Camp  Jackson ;  how  fair  ladies 
threw  flowers  in  their  pathway  and  cheered  them. 
He  fancied  himself  on  a  prancing  horse,  a  clanking 
sword  by  his  side  and  waving  plume  in  his  hat. 
Should  he  do  the  deed  and  claim  the  reward? 

First,  Jerry  lost  no  time  in  spreading  the  news  of 
Guilford's  treachery.  The  Southern  element  were 
dumbfounded.  Maledictions  deep  and  fearful  were 
heaped  upon  Guilford's  head,  and  it  was  plain  to  be 
seen  that  anyone  putting  him  out  of  the  way  would 
have  the  sympathy  of  the  entire  party.  This  decided 
Jerry.  He  believed  he  would  have  little  trouble  in 
escaping  after  committing  the  deed. 

He  lost  no  time  in  calling  together  some  half-dozen 
of  his  confederates.  Of  those  who  had  helped  Ben- 
ton spy  on  Lawrence,  he  dare  approach  but  two, 
Dickey  Holbrook  and  Allen  Duncan.  His  other  four 
were  professional  toughs,  ready  for  any  desperate 
deed.  As  we  have  seen,  Dickey  Holbrook  was  not 
renowned  for  his  courage,  but  he  was  sly  and  crafty. 


124  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

No  one  could  trail  a  victim  better  than  he,  and  no 
one  could  put  up  a  better  story  if  caught. 

To  the  six  Jerry  unfolded  his  plot,  telling  them 
that  honor  awaited  them  if  they  could  accomplish 
the  death  of  that  arch  traitor,  Guilford  Craig. 

"  It  's  a  duty  we  owe  the  South,  to  put  him  out 
of  the  way,"  said  Jerry.  "  We  can  do  it  and  no  one 
be  the  wiser." 

"  That  's  so,"  spoke  up  one  of  the  gang  called 
Billy  the  Kid.  "  I  have  helped  put  three  Dutchmen 
out  of  the  way  and  no  trouble." 

"If  we  are  suspected,  there  is  Price's  army,"  said 
Jerry.  "  A  grand  welcome  would  await  us  there." 
Then  he  added  with  a  wink,  "  I  am  thinking  there 
would  be  some  who  would  give  big  money  to  see 
Guilford  Craig  put  under  ground." 

"  But  how  are  we  to  find  him?  "  asked  Allen  Dun- 
can. "  The  rabbit  must  first  be  caught,  and  Craig 
has  not  been  seen  for  the  past  two  days." 

"  If  he  is  still  in  the  city,"  replied  Jerry,  "  all  we 
have  to  do  is  to  watch  Lawrence  Middleton,  and  you 
may  be  sure  we  will  find  him.  And,  by  the  way,  if 
we  get  the  chance,  it  would  be  a  mighty  .good  thing 
to  give  Middleton  the  same  dose  that  w^e  do  Guil- 
ford. He  is  as  deep  in  this  traitor  business  as  young 
Craig." 

The  matter  was  fully  discussed  and  ended  by  the 
seven  binding  themselves  together  by  the  most  horri- 


A  MUBDEEOUS  PLOT  FOILED  12o 

ble  oaths  to  kill  both  Lawrence  and  Guilford.     But 
how  ? 

"  Let  's  find  them  first,  and  then  decide,"  said 
Jerry.  "  Let  our  headquarters  be  here  and  let  the 
first  one  who  finds  out  anything  report." 

"  Let  me  have  the  first  trick  on  spying,"  spoke 
up  Dickey  Holbrook.  "  I  owe  Guilford  a  turn  for 
the  way  he  fooled  me." 

"  All  right,  Dickey.  Go  ahead,"  replied  Jerry. 
"  But  be  sure  and  do  n't  let  him  scare  you  to  death 
again." 

Dickey  turned  red.  "  I  reckon  you  would  be 
scared  if  you  found  a  revolver  thrust  in  your  face," 
snapped  he.  ''  Just  give  me  a  chance  and  I  will  show 
you  fellows  what  I  can  do." 

"  Well,  you  are  good  at  trailing  anyway,"  said 
Jerry,  "  and  Middleton  do  n't  know  you.  He  is  onto 
me,  and  if  he  should  see  me  sneaking  around  he 
would  become  suspicious." 

This  all  happened  two  days  after  Guilford  had 
consented  to  go  with  Lawrence,  and  during  this  time 
he  had  remained  quietly  in  his  hotel. 

Lawrence  had  made  all  preparations  to  leave  the 
city  for  Rolla,  thinking  that  the  best  place  to  recruit 
his  company,  as  that  place  was  filled  with  Union 
refugees,  the  whole  of  southwest  Missouri  being  now 
in  the  hands  of  the  Confederates,  and  the  county 
over-run  by  murderous  bands  of  guerillas. 


126  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

Unconscious  of  impending  danger,  Lawrence  in 
the  evening  went  to  see  Guilford  to  tell  him  that 
everything  was  ready  and  that  they  would  start  for 
Rolla  in  the  morning. 

Fremont  was  already  in  Jefferson  City  making 
preparation  for  his  forward  movement,  and  Law- 
rence wished  to  lose  no  time. 

That  afternoon  the  sharp  eyes  of  Dickey  Hol- 
brook  watched  every  movement  Lawrence  made, 
and  when  he  started  to  see  Guilford,  Dickey  trailed 
along  behind  and  had  no  trouble  in  following  him  to 
the  little  hotel. 

Lawrence  went  in  and  Dickey  stood  in  the  shadow 
of  the  building  waiting  and  thinking  what  he  had 
best  do.  It  was  now  dark  and  he  had  no  fear  of 
being  discovered.  He  was  about  to  go  and  tell 
the  boys  that  he  was  sure  he  had  discovered  Guil- 
ford's hiding  place  when  the  door  opened  and  Law- 
rence and  Guilford  came  out,  and  walked  slowly 
down  the  street. 

Dickey  followed  softly,  but  they  did  not  go  far 
before  they  turned  and  Dickey  had  just  time  to 
dodge  into  a  dark  alley.  As  if  tempting  fate  Law- 
rence and  Guilford  stopped  right  in  front  of  the 
alley.  Dickey  trembling  with  excitement  could 
have  reached  out  his  hand  and  touched  them. 

"  Then  you  believe  your  life  is  not  safe  in  the 
city,"  Lawrence  was  saying. 


There   was   a   Hash,  a   stunning   report,  aiul    Lawrence    telt   a 
burning  sensation  along  his  forehead 


A  MURDEROUS  PLOT  FOILED  127 

"  Not  for  a  minute  as  long  as  Jerry  Alcorn  is 
here,  but  that  will  make  little  difference  as  we  go  in 
the  morning." 

So  Lawrence  and  Guilford  were  going  to  leave 
the  city  in  the  morning  and  Jerry's  plotting  would 
come  to  naught.  Then  a  mighty  thought  thrilled 
Dickey.  They  were  side  by  side;  one  shot  would 
suffice  for  both.  He  couldn't  miss  them,  they 
were  so  near.  He  could  shoot  and  dash  up  the 
alley.  Such  a  deed  would  make  him  the  leader  of 
the  gang.  He  would  show  Jerry  Alcorn  he  was 
not  the  coward  he  supposed  him. 

With  shaking  hands  Dickey  Holbrook  reached  for 
a  heavy  revolver  that  he  carried  concealed  in  his 
bosom. 

There  was  a  flash,  a  stunning  report,  and  Law- 
rence felt  a  burning  sensation  along  his  forehead, 
and  at  the  same  time  a  piece  of  the  rim  of  Guil- 
ford's hat  went  flying  away. 

Without  waiting  to  see  the  effect  of  his  shot, 
Dickey  threw  the  revolver  away  and  darted  up  the 
alley;  but  fate  was  against  him,  the  alley  was  a 
blind  one  and  brought  up  against  a  stone  wall.  In 
the  darkness  Dickey  did  not  see  the  wall,  and  ran 
against  it  with  such  force  as  to  be  flung  back  and 
thrown  violently   to  the  ground. 

For  a  moment  the  flash  blinded  both  Lawrence 
and  Guilford,  then  they  heard  the  thud  of  Dickey's 


128  TRE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  KIDGE 

revolver  as  it  struck  the  ground,  and  his  rapidly  re- 
treating footsteps. 

Without  hesitation  Lawrence  dashed  up  the  alley, 
drawing  his  revolver  as  he  went. 

"  Look  out,"  called  Guilford,  "  there  is  a  brick 
wall  ahead." 

This  made  Lawrence  halt  but  he  heard  a  groan 
in  front  and  advancing  cautiously  soon  came  on 
Dickey,  who  was  still  unable  to  rise. 

By  this  time  Guilford  had  come  up  and  Dickey 
was  dragged  to  his  feet  badly  shaken. 

The  shot  had  been  heard  and  a  patrol  guard, 
under  the  command  of  a  sergeant  came  running, 
"What  is  up?  Who  fired  the  shot?"  he  asked 
breathlessly. 

"  This  fellow  tried  to  murder  us,"  said  Lawrence. 
"  Let 's  get  to  the  light  and  see  who  he  is." 

"  Why,  it 's  Dickey  Holbrook,"  exclaimed  Guil- 
ford, the  moment  he  saw  the  culprit.  "  Dickey,  I 
am  surprised.  If  it  had  been  Jerry  Alcorn  I  would 
not  have  thought  it  strange ;  but  you,  Dickey !  " 

Dickey  did  not  answer.  He  had  hardly  recovered 
from  the  shock  of  his  fall. 

The  sergeant  now  noticed  Lawrence's  uniform 
and  saluting  said,  "  Lieutenant,  will  you  go  with  us 
or  wait  until  morning  to  make  your  charge  against 
the  prisoner?" 

"  First  let  me  speak  to  him  in  private,"  said  Law- 


A  MUEDEROUS  PLOT  FOILED  129 

rence,  and  taking  Dickey  aside  he  said,  ''  Dickey,  do 
you  know  that  you  will  swing  about  to-morrow  for 
this?  "" 

Dickey  turned  as  white  as  a  sheet,  "  Oh.  my  God ! 
Do  n't  hang  me,"  he  gasped. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  I  can  save  you,  but  I  will  see 
what  I  can  do  if  you  will  tell  me  the  exact  truth. 
Who  put  you  up  to  this?  and  why?  " 

Dickey  with  his  teeth  chattering,  gasped,  "  Won't 
—  won't  you  hang  me  if  I  tell?  " 

"  I  have  not  the  power  to  hang,  or  not  to  hang 
you,"  answered  Lawrence.  "  But  this  I  know :  it 
will  be  better  for  you  to  confess  all.  As  I  told  you, 
I  will  do  all  for  you  I  can  if  you  do  this." 

Shivering  with  fear,  Dickey  told  all  he  knew. 
Lawrence  heard  with  darkened  brow. 

"  So  that  scoundrel.  Benton  Shelley,  would  hire 
an  assassin  to  murder  his  step-brother  after  that 
step-brother  saved  his  miserable  neck  from  the  gal- 
lows," exclaimed  Lawrence,  his  heart  filled  with 
anger. 

"  And  you  too,  he  would  have  you  killed,  too," 
whined  Dickey. 

"  And  Jerry  Alcorn  was  the  one  to  carry  out 
Shelley's  murderous  plans?"  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  Jerry  was  the  one  who  got  us  into  it," 
eagerly  replied  Dickey.  "  He  is  the  one  to  blame. 
If  anv  one  is  to  hang,  he  should  be  the  one." 


130  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

"You  say  you  have  a  place  of  rendezvous?" 
asked  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  no  doubt  Jerry  and  the  boys  are  there  now. 
I  wall  lead  you  to  the  place  if  you  will  let  me  go." 

"  I  cannot  let  you  go,  but  where  is  the  place  ? 
Telling  will  count  much  in  your  favor.  It  may  save 
you." 

Dickey  told,  not  only  this,  but  of  a  secret  exit  at 
the  back  which  he  offered  to  show  them. 

"  Sergeant,"  said  Lawrence,  "  this  fellow  has  con- 
fessed to  a  most  damnable  plot,  and  tells  me 
where  the  rest  of  the  conspirators  are  congregated. 
Hurry  and  get  help,  and  we  may  be  able  to  capture 
the  whole  gang." 

The  sergeant  spoke  to  one  of  his  men,  and  he 
rushed  away  to  bring  reinforcements. 

"  The  reserve  station  is  not  far,"  said  the  ser- 
geant. "  We  will  have  reinforcements  within  five 
minutes." 

Lawrence  now  looked  for  Guilford,  but  he  was 
nowhere  to  be  seen.     He  had  slipped  away. 

"  He  does  not  want  to  be  mixed  up  in  this  affair," 
thought  Lawrence.  "  He  's  right.  It  will  be  suf- 
ficient for  me  to  make  complaint." 

In  the  meantime  Dickey  Holbrook  was  thinking 
hard.  He  was  no  fool.  He  had  attempted  the  life 
of  a  Federal  officer,  and  he  knew  that  no  one  could 
save  him.     His  only  chance  was  to  escape. 


A  MUEDEEOUS  PLOT  FOILED  131 

He  now  began  to  complain,  said  that  his  running 
against  the  wall  had  nearly  killed  him,  that  he  could 
scarcely  stand  and  would  be  unable  to  go  with  them 
to  show  them  the  place  of  hiding. 

"  I  think  this  will  put  just  a  little  strength  into 
you,"  said  the  sergeant,  pricking  him  with  his  bay- 
onet. 

Dickey  howled  and  protested  he  was  telling  the 
truth. 

A  lieutenant  with  twelve  men  now  came  hurrying 
up,  brought  by  the  soldier  who  had  been  sent  for 
reinforcements. 

He  was  a  pompous  fellow  and  asked  in  a  fierce 
tone,  "  What 's  the  trouble  here?  " 

"  Allow  me  to  explain,"  said  Lawrence  stepping 
forward,  and  in  a  few  words  he  told  what  had 
occurred. 

"You  think  we  can  bag  the  whole  lot?"  asked 
the  lieutenant  eagerly. 

"  Yes,  if  we  hurr}%"  answered  Lawrence. 

"  Forward  men !  Double  quick !  Be  sure  the 
prisoner  don't  escape,"  shouted  the  lieutenant  who 
thought  he  saw  a  captain's  commission  in  the  fu- 
ture, if  the  raid  was  successful. 

Poor  Dickey  was  hurried  along,  apparently  so 
weak  he  might  drop  at  any  moment.  But  like  a 
rat  in  a  trap  he  was  looking  for  a  chance  to  escape. 
He  felt  he  had  forfeited  his  life  either  way,  for  if 


132  TUE  SCOUT  OF  FEA  BIDGE 

by  chance  the  Federals  let  him  go,,  his  companions 
would  seek  revenge  for  his  treachery  at  the  first 
opportunity.  Oh !  if  he  could  only  escape  and  warn 
them.  They  passed  a  place  where  an  excavation 
was  being  made  for  a  new  building.  The  soldiers 
who  had  hold  of  Dickey  were  almost  dragging  him 
along,  so  weak  did  he  pretend  to  be.  As  they  passed 
the  excavation  Dickey  gave  a  sudden  jerk  and  dived 
head  foremost  into  the  hole. 

All  was  excitement,  a  dozen  rifles  blazed,  and  a 
number  of  soldiers  leaped  into  the  pit  after  the 
fugitive.  Dickey  was  fleet  of  foot  and  he  seemed 
to  be  unharmed,  for  the  soldiers  heard  him  scramble 
out  of  the  other  end  of  the  excavation,  and  then  he 
was  lost  in  the  darkness. 

Some  moments  were  spent  in  a  fruitless  search. 
The  lieutenant  in  command  was  furious,  cursing  the 
soldier  who  had  let  Dickey  escape  and  placing  him 
under  arrest. 

"  Lieutenant,"  said  Lawrence,  "  let  us  waste  no 
more  time,  lest  the  escaped  prisoner  get  to  the  ren- 
dezvous before  we  do  and  the  whole  gang  get 
away." 

"  That  is  so,"  answered  the  officer,  and  calling 
back  his  men  from  the  pursuit,  they  hurried  to  the 
place  where  Dickey  said  the  gang  met.  To  break 
down  the  door  and  get  into  the  room  was  the  work 


A  MUBDEBOrS  PLOT  FOILED  133 

of  but  a  moment,  but  Dickey  had  been  ahead  of 
them.    The  room  was  empty. 

Hatless  and  breathless  and  with  a  face  as  pale  as 
death  Dickey  had  rushed  into  the  room,  where  he 
found  the  whole  gang  present. 

*'  Run !  Run  for  your  lives,"  shouted  Dickey. 
"  Everything  has  been  discovered.  The  place  will 
be  surrounded  by  soldiers  in  a  few  moments.  Run, 
I  tell  you." 

A  dark  suspicion  crossed  the  mind  of  Jerry  Al- 
corn. With  an  oath  he  drew  his  revolver.  '*  Have 
they  scared  everything  out  of  you  again?  "  he  thun- 
dered. "  Speak,  before  I  blow  out  your  cowardly 
brains." 

"  No,  no,"  cried  Dickey  in  terror.  "  Did  n't  you 
hear  the  firing?  They  were  shooting  at  me  —  me 
who  was  risking  my  life  to  warn  you." 

"  My !  "  suddenly  exclaimed  one  of  the  men. 
"Look  at  Dickey's  hand."  The  blood  was  running 
down  it  and  off  his  fingers. 

"I  —  I  did  n't  know  I  was  hurt,"  gasped  Dickey. 

Jerry  caught  the  arm  and  gave  a  quick  look. 
"  Only  a  flesh  wound,"  he  said.  "  But  such  as  it 
is  it  has  saved  your  life.    What  has  happened  ?  " 

"  No  time  to  tell  now,"  cried  Dickey.  "  Only 
they  captured  me  as  I  was  trailing  Guilford  Craig. 
T  heard  him  tell  the  officer  in  charge  that  he  knew 


134  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

all  about  our  plot,  and  where  we  met,  and  that  if 
he  hurried  he  might  catch  the  whole  gang  of  us. 
Then  I  broke  and  ran  to  give  you  warning.  There ! 
Hear  that." 

The  sound  of  running  feet  was  heard  approaching. 

"  Out  the  back  way,"  shouted  Jerry.  "  Follow  me. 
It's  to  Price's  army  now.  The  jig  is  up  with  us  in 
St.  Louis." 

But  as  he  went  he  muttered,  "  If  Dickey  tells  the 
truth  Guilford  Craig  must  be  in  partnership  with 
the  powers  of  darkness." 


CHAPTER  X 

A  CHANGE  OF  BASE 

OWING  to  the  incidents  related  in  the  preced- 
ing chapter,  Lawrence  was  delayed  for  a 
day  in  getting  away,  for  he  had  to  report  to 
the  provost  marshal  the  affairs  of  the  night  before. 

"  I  will  have  that  whole  gang  by  night  if  they 
are  still  in  the  city,"  said  the  marshal.  "  I  am 
afraid  they  may  have  fled,  for  I  am  confident  there 
is  constant  communication  between  the  city  and  the 
county." 

"There  is  not  the  least  doubt  of  that,"  answered 
Lawrence.  "  This  Jerry  Alcorn  of  whom  I  spoke 
is  a  dangerous  man  and  I  hope  you  can  catch  him, 
but  I  am  of  the  opinion  he  and  his  gang  are  well 
out  of  the  city  by  this  time.  The  failure  of  the  plot 
to  assassinate  me  will  alarm  them." 

"  It  was  a  close  call  you  had,"  observed  the 
marshal. 

A  red  streak  across  Lawrence's  forehead  showed 
how  close  the  call  had  been. 

"  I  am  not  anxious  for  anything  closer,"  replied 
Lawrence.     "  I  must  now  bid  you  good  day,  as  I 

135 


136  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

have  given  you  all  the  information  I  can.  I  am  off 
to-morrow." 

"To  join  Fremont?  Well  I  hope  Price  will  get 
what  he  deserves.  Things  have  been  going  wrong 
since  Lyon  was  killed.  The  capture  of  Lexington 
gave  us  a  terrible  black  eye." 

"  It  was  a  disgrace  which  should  be  wiped  out," 
replied  Lawrence.     "  I  am  going  to  help  do  it." 

"  Good !  "  and  the  marshal  shook  Lawrence 
warmly  by  the  hand  as  they  parted. 

During  the  day  Lawrence  fell  in  with  an  officer 
he  knew  well  and  who  had  been  with  him  at  Wil- 
son Creek.  To  him  Lawrence  showed  his  commis- 
sion and  confided  his  plans. 

"  I  congratulate  you,"  said  his  friend.  "  But  if 
I  were  you  I  would  raise  that  company  right  here 
in  St.  Louis.  The  best  young  men  of  tiie  city 
would  jump  at  the  chance  to  go  in  such  a  company 
as  that." 

"  I  would  like  to,"  answered  Lawrence,  "  but  cer- 
tain conditions  which  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  state 
preclude  my  enlisting  a  single  man  in  St.  Louis." 

The  officer  looked  surprised.  "  I  cannot  imagine 
what  conditions  would  forbid  your  enlisting  men 
here,"  he  exclaimed,  "  but  such  being  the  case  I 
would  advise  you  to  go  to  St.  Joseph,  instead  of 
Rolla." 

"  Why  St.  Joe  ?"  inquired  Lawrence. 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  137 

*'  Because  St.  Joe  is  on  the  border.  There  you 
will  meet  rough  dare-devils,  those  who  have  fought 
both  Indians  and  border  ruffians.  You  could  raise 
a  superb  body  of  men,  fighters,  every  one." 

"  I  will  think  of  it,"  said  Lawrence,  as  he  bade 
the  officer  good-bye. 

The  more  Lawrence  thought  of  it,  the  better  he 
liked  the  idea,  so  when  he  met  Guilford  he  told  him 
they  would  go  to  St.  Joseph  instead  of  to  Rolla. 

"  It  may  be  all  right,"  said  Guilford,  "  but  I 
do  n't  like  the  border  fellows.  Many  of  them  are 
as  bad  as  guerillas  to  steal  and  plunder." 

"  Well,  we  may  stop  off  before  we  get  to  St. 
Joe.  I  am  convinced  I  can  raise  a  company  in 
Northern  IMissouri  quicker  than  in  any  other  part  of 
the  State,  so  there  we  will  go  if  you  are  willing." 

"  Oh,  I  am  willing  to  go  anywhere  so  we  get  out 
of  St.  Louis,"  answered  Guilford. 

That  evening  Lawrence  went  to  bid  his  uncle 
and  aunt  good-bye.  The  parting  was  painful,  for  he 
well  knew  they  despised  the  uniform  he  wore,  and 
that  it  was  only  their  love  for  him  that  kept  them 
from  driving  him  from  their  door. 

The  next  morning  Lawrence  and  Charles  Morris 
(no  longer  Guilford  Craig)  started  north.  The 
journey  was  not  without  its  dangers,  for  the  \\hole 
northern  part  of  the  State  swarmed  with  irregular 
bodies  of   Confederates,  mostly   guerillas.       Every 


138  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

train  had  to  be  closely  guarded,  and  railroads  were 
being  continually  torn  up.  The  progress  of  the 
train  was  slow  and  Lawrence  found  that  all  the 
troops  that  could  be  spared  were  moving  south  to 
join  Fremont  in  his  forward  movement  to  crush 
Price. 

It  was  sometime  the  next  day  before  the  train 
reached  Cameron,  some  forty  miles  east  of  St.  Joe. 
Here  there  was  a  delay,  and  Lawrence  found  an 
Iowa  regiment  ready  to  march  south  to  Lexington 
as  Price  had  abandoned  that  place.  Lawrence  hap- 
pened to  state  to  the  colonel  his  purpose. 

The  colonel  slapped  his  thigh.  "  Captain,  I  be- 
lieve I  have  it,"  he  exclaimed.  "  A  company  all 
ready  raised  for  you.  Last  night  a  company  of  fifty 
State  troops  reported.  They  are  under  the  command 
of  a  Captain  Mark  Marvin,  a  young  man  who  knows 
nothing  of  military  training,  but  looks  as  if  he  had 
good  stufif  in  him.  He  reported  here  to  me,  for  he 
did  not  know  where  he  really  belonged,  or  to  whom 
he  should  report.  He  told  me  if  he  could  find  a 
good  man  who  understood  military  tactics,  he  would 
willingly  yield  command,  and  take  second  place.  I 
will  send  for  him." 

"  First,  let  me  look  over  the  company,"  replied 
Lawrence. 

The  colonel  laughed.  "I  see  you  are  cautious,"  he 
said. 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  139 

"  I  want  a  good  company,"  answered  Lawrence. 

Lawrence  sauntered  over  to  where  the  company 
was  encamped.  He  saw  they  nearly  all  had  good 
horses.  This  pleased  him.  The  men  as  a  w'hole 
w^ere  stalwart  bronzed  fellows,  most  of  them  from 
farms  or  the  plains.  Some  there  were  with  rough, 
hardened  faces,  which  bore  traces  of  crime  and  dis- 
sipation. All  of  them  were  young  and  full  of  life 
and  energy.  As  a  whole  they  impressed  him  as  be- 
ing all  right.  He  could  weed  out  the  poor  and 
vicious  ones. 

He  went  back  and  reported  to  the  colonel  that  he 
found  the  company  all  right  and  Captain  Mark  Mar- 
vin was  sent  for. 

When  he  came  Lawrence  saw  a  sturdy  built  man 
of  about  twenty-five  years  of  age.  His  black  hair 
was  long  and  heavy  on  his  shoulders ;  his  eyes,  dark 
and  piercing,  were  shaded  with  heavy  black  eye- 
brows, and  his  square  heavy  set  jaw  denoted  both 
courage  and  determination.  His  dress  and  looks 
bespoke  the  plains,  but  his  countenance  was  open 
and  honest,  and  Lawrence  liked  him. 

The  proposition  was  presented  to  him  without  un- 
necessary words.  He  examined  Lawrence's  com- 
mission and  orders  under  which  he  was  to  act, 
asked  a  number  of  questions  and  then  said,  **  I 
rather  like  this.  It  makes  a  fellow  independent  of 
every  dude   w^ho  w^ears   a  shoulder   strap,  a   little 


140  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

higher  up  in  rank  than  yours  is.  And,  Captain," 
looking  Lawrence  straight  in  the  face,  "  I  rather 
like  you.  You  arc  young,  very  young,  but  you  must 
have  done  something  or  Fremont  would  never  have 
given  you  such  a  commission." 

"  Done  something?  I  should  say  he  had,"  spoke 
up  the  colonel.  "  Do  n't  you  know  he  was  on 
General  Lyon's  staff,  was  at  the  head  of  his  secret 
service?  It  was  he  who  caught  Lyon  when  he  fell 
at  Wilson  Creek." 

"  Jerusalem !  "  exclaimed  Marvin.  "  On  General 
Lyon's  staff  and  with  him  at  Wilson  Creek.  Here  's 
my  hand.  Captain,"  and  Lawrence  received  a  grip 
of  the  hand  which  made  him  wince. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Lawrence.  "  I  can  sincerely 
return  the  compliment  and  say  that  I  like  you,  but 
what  will  your  men  say  about  the  change  of 
commanders  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  the  boys  will  be  all  right,"  answered 
Marvin.  "  Some  of  them  may  kick  a  little,  as  they 
hate  discipline.  Come  on  and  I  will  put  the  thing 
up  to  them." 

The  company  was  duly  ordered  to  fall  in,  and 
when  in  line  and  at  attention  Marvin  made  them  a 
little  speech  in  which  he  brought  the  blushes  to 
Lawrence's  cheeks,  as  he  told  what  a  brave  officer  he 
was  and  what  an  honor  it  would  be  to  be  com- 
manded by  him.   Marvin  concluded  his  speech  by 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  141 

saying,  "  But  the  best  thing  of  all  and  what  influ- 
enced nie  in  doing  as  I  have,  is  the  kind  of  service 
wiiich  we  will  be  called  on  to  do  under  Captain 
Middleton.  Of  this  the  Captain  can  tell  you  better 
than  I.     Boys,  Captain   Middleton." 

There  was  a  look  of  surprise  on  the  faces  of  the 
men  as  their  captain  commenced  his  speech.  As  he 
proceeded  many  glances  were  cast  at  Lawrence  and 
several  spoke  up  and  said,  "  We  do  n't  want  any 
other  Captain  than  you." 

One  burly  fellow  with  a  sinister  countenance, 
sneeringly  remarked  in  a  stage  whisper,  "  What, 
that  young  popinjay  be  our  captain !  Not  much ! 
The  first  thing  he  would  do  would  be  to  order  us  to 
black  our  boots  and  wear  white  collars." 

"  Silence  in  the  ranks,"  thundered  Captain  Mar- 
vin, and  then  turning  to  a  corporal,  he  snapped, 
"  Corporal  Sanders,  arrest  Kelley.  I  will  attend 
to  his  case  after  I  am  through." 

"  Marvin  is  just  the  man  I  thought  he  was," 
thought  Lawrence.  "  he  will  do  to  tie  to,"  but  he 
interfered  by  saying,  "  Captain,  please  let  Kelley 
remain.  I  want  a  free  expression  from  the  men  and 
wish  no  one  to  be  punished  for  that  expression." 

"  Ver)^  well,"  replied  Marvin.  "  Kelley,  you 
may  remain,  but  be  careful  you  do  not  interrupt 
again." 

There  were  no  more   interruptions.      The  little 


142  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

episode  had  made  friends  for  Lawrence,  who  now 
addressed  the  company. 

He  read  them  his  commission  and  explained  what 
he  expected  them  to  do.  "  The  work/'  he  said, 
"  will  be  arduous  and  dangerous,  but  less  irksome 
and  far  more  independent  than  life  in  the  regular 
army.  But  do  not  think,"  he  continued,  "  that  be- 
cause it  is  an  independent  company  you  will  not  be 
under  discipline.  I  shall  expect  every  man  to  do 
his  duty,  strictly  obey  orders,  and  be  a  model  soldier 
in  every  respect.  Now  it  is  for  you  to  decide.  Cap- 
tain Marvin,  I  will  leave  you  to  talk  matters  over 
with  the  men  of  the  company  and  give  me  their 
answer." 

For  a  time  there  was  a  babel  of  voices,  and  argu- 
ments pro  and  con,  but  the  idea  of  an  independent 
company  appealed  to  them,  and  by  a  unanimous 
vote  the  company  accepted  Lawrence  as  their 
captain. 

The  next  two  days  were  busy  ones  for  Lawrence. 
The  company  was  regularly  organized  with  Law- 
rence as  captain,  Mark  Marvin  as  first  lieutenant 
and  a  young  man  named  James  Bates  as  second 
lieutenant.  Charles  Morris  was  introduced  to  the 
company  by  Lawrence.  "  Morris  is  not  a  regularly 
enlisted  soldier,"  he  said,  "  but  is  enrolled  as  a  scout 
and  spy.  In  this  capacity  he  has  performed  much 
valuable  service.     I   consider  it   fortunate  he  has 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  143 

consented  to  serve  under  me.  Consider  him  as  one 
of  our  number." 

"  If  Captain  Middleton  thinks  himself  fortunate 
that  I  serve  under  him,"  said  Morris.  "  I  consider 
myself  doubly  fortunate  in  having  that  privilege.  I 
came  with  him  because  I  know  him,  and  when  you 
come  to  know  him  as  well  as  I  do.  you  will  be  glad 
you  are  in  his  command."  With  these  words  ]\Ior- 
ris  turned  and  walked  away. 

"  What  a  glum  looking  chap,"  said  ]Marvin. 
"  Has  he  lost  all  his  friends?  " 

"  He  is  singular,"  answered  Lawrence,  "  but  you 
will  find  him  as  true  as  steel.  You  must  remember 
he  works  most  of  the  time  with  a  halter  dangling 
before  him.  Time  and  time  again  he  has  entered 
the  camp  of  the  enemy  and  there  is  a  price  on  his 
head." 

Lawrence  stopped.  He  was  telling  too  much,  .'^o 
he  changed  the  subject. 

While  the  company  was  not  as  well  armed  as 
Lawrence  would  have  liked,  each  had  a  carbine  and 
a  navy  revolver. 

On  the  morning  of  the  third  day  after  Lawrence 
had  arrived  at  Cameron,  the  Iowa  regiment  spoken 
of  started  for  the  front  to  join  Fremont,  and  Law- 
rence concluded  to  accompany  it,  much  to  the  joy  of 
the  colonel,  who  had  taken  a  great  fancy  to  him. 

"  I  will  need  you,"  the  colonel  said.     "  The  coun- 


144  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

try  through  which  we  will  pass  is  infested  with 
bushwhackers,  and  infantry  is  of  little  use  against 
them." 

As  if  in  contempt  of  Fremont,  General  Price  had 
lingered  in  Lexington  nearly  two  weeks  after  he 
had  captured  it,  and  then  began  a  slow  retrograde 
movement,  his  trains  loaded  with  spoils. 

Fremont  had  enough  soldiers  in  Missouri,  if  he 
had  hurried  to  throw  a  large  force  in  Price's  rear 
and  captured  his  whole  army.  But  by  the  time 
he  had  consolidated  his  army  and  got  ready  to  move, 
Price  was  a  hundred  miles  away.  He  had  captured 
Lexington,  administering  a  crushing  blow  to  the 
Union  cause,  and  escaped  unscathed. 

When  Lexington  fell,  President  Lincoln  tele- 
graphed to  Fremont.  "  I  expect  you  to  retrieve  the 
disaster."  But  it  was  not  to  be.  Fremont  was  not 
the  general  to  do  it. 

The  capture  of  Lexington  was  the  crowning 
point  in  the  career  of  General  Price  and,  in  the  eyes 
of  the  Missouri  secessionists,  placed  him  among  the 
greatest  generals  of  the  South. 

It  was  a  bright  October  morning  when  Lawrence 
and  his  company  left  Cameron  for  the  long  march 
south.  It  so  happened  that  the  first  day  proved  an 
eventful  one. 

Along  in  the  afternoon  the  troop  was  fired  upon 
by   a  small  party  of  guerillas,   who  took  to   flight 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  145 

the  moment  they  had  delivered  their  fire.  A  head- 
long chase  of  some  two  miles  took  place  but  with- 
out results.  On  returning,  Lawrence  noticed  that 
Lieutenant  Bates  and  some  six  of  the  company  were 
missing.  Towards  evening  they  joined  the  column 
loaded  with  plunder. 

They  told  how  a  woman  had  cursed  them  as  Yan- 
kees, and  as  much  as  confessed  her  husband  was 
among  the  guerillas  who  had  fired  on  them.  "  We 
learned  her  a  lesson  she  '11  not  soon  forgot," 
chuckled  one  of  the  men.  "  We  went  through  the 
house,  took  everything  we  wanted  and  then  piled 
all  the  furniture  up  and  made  a  bonfire.  Ought  to 
have  burned  the  house  over  her  head,  but  she 
begged  so  hard  we  spared  it.  I  tell  you  we  have 
tender  hearts,  have  n't  we,  Bill?  "  addressing  one  of 
his  companions. 

"  You  bet,"  answered  Bill,  with  a  loud,  coarse 
laugh. 

Lawrence  heard  the  story  with  a  darkened  brow. 
He  ordered  the  company  to  fall  in  and  then  pro- 
ceeded to  give  them  a  lecture  they  never  forgot. 

'"  We  are  not  making  war  on  women  and  chil- 
dren," he  said,  "  nor  do  I  intend  to  command  a 
company  of  desperadoes.  Nothing  must  be  taken 
even  from  an  enemy,  except  when  in  actual  need  for 
sustenance,  and  in  no  case  must  a  house  be  entered 
for  the  purpose  of  plunder. 


146  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDOE 

"  Lieutenant  Bates,  you  were  with  these  men.  I 
am  surprised  you  allowed  such  a  thing  to  be  done." 

Bates  had  listened  to  Lawrence's  speech  with  a 
scowling  face.  "  Do  you  mean  to  say,"  he  growled, 
"  that  you  will  allow  no  foraging  on  the  enemy?  " 

"  I  mean  to  say,"  coolly  replied  Lawrence,  "  that 
I  will  allow  no  homes  to  be  plundered  as  if  we  were 
robbers  instead  of  soldiers.  And  above  all  I  will 
not  allow  women  and  children  to  be  terrorized  and 
insulted." 

"  What  will  you  do  if  we  do  n't  obey  your  pious 
orders  ?  "  sneered  Bates. 

"  Arrest  the  first  man  who  disobeys,"  answered 
Lawrence.  "  Lieutenant  Bates,  you  are  under  ar- 
rest  for  insubordination.     Your  sword,  please." 

Instead  of  yielding  his  sword,  Bates  turned  to 
the  company  and  shouted,  "  Boys,  are  we  to  stand 
this?  Are  we  to  submit  tamely  and  be  bossed 
around  by  this  young  upstart?  How  many  of  us 
have  had  to  flee  from  our  homes  to  save  our  lives  ? 
Give  the  devils  the  same  medicine  they  do  us,  I 
say,  and  I  '11  be  damned  if  I  don't  do  it.  Captain 
Middleton  to  the  contrary." 

"  That 's  the  stuff,  Jim.  That 's  the  stuff.  We  're 
with  you,"  shouted  a  dozen  of  the  men. 

"  Lieutenant  Bates,  your  sword."  The  order 
came  as  sharp  as  steel. 

Instead  of  yielding  his  sword.  Bates  drew  it  with 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  147 

a  flourish  and  shouted  with  an  oath,  "  Come  and 
get  it,  if  you  can." 

As  quick  as  a  flash  Lawrence  covered  him  with 
his  revolver.  "  Drop  that  sword,  before  I  count 
three,  or  I  fire." 

Bates  glanced  at  the  company.  Some  eight  or 
ten  of  the  men  made  a  movement  as  if  to  help  him. 

"  The  first  man  that  moves  from  the  ranks  dies." 
said  a  cold,  clear  voice,  and  there  by  the  side  of 
Lawrence  stood  Morris,  a  cocked  revolver  in  each 
hand. 

The  men  stood  as  if  rooted  to  the  spot. 

"  One  —  two,"  counted  Lawrence. 

The  sword  of  Lieutenant  Bates  fell  to  the  ground. 

"  Now  pick  it  up,  return  it  to  its  scabbard,  un- 
buckle your  belt  and  deliver  it  to  Sergeant  Graves," 
commanded  Lawrence. 

With  his  face  distorted  with  rage  Bates  obeyed 
the  command. 

Lawrence  now  turned  to  his  men,  as  cool  appar- 
ently as  if  nothing  out  of  the  ordinary  had  happened. 

"  Boys,  we  might  just  as  well  settle  this  now  for 
good,"  he  said.  "  You  must  be  aware  that  for  a 
soldier  to  mutiny  is  death.  Fortunately  for  you, 
you  have  not  yet  been  sworn  into  the  United  States 
service,  and  therefore  I  shall  not  hold  you  to  strict 
military  law.  I  did  not  wish  to  make  real  soldiers 
of  you,  until  I  proved  each  and  every  one  of  you. 


148  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

To  serve  in  this  company  you  will  not  only  have  to 
be  soldiers  brave  and  true,  but  like  the  knights  of 
old,  scorn  to  do  a  mean  act.  And  woman  or  child 
in  your  presence  must  be  safe  from  insult  or  injury. 
Our  enemies  who  have  ceased  to  be  soldiers  and 
become  murderers  we  must  let  the  law  deal  with  as 
their  crimes  deserve.  Now  if  any  of  you  feel  that 
you  cannot  become  such  soldiers  as  I  wish,  you  are 
at  perfect  liberty  to  go.  If  you  stay  I  shall  know 
you  are  with  me  in  all  things. 

"  Sergeant  Graves,  return  the  sword  of  Lieuten- 
ant Bates.    These  terms  are  made  to  him,  as  to  all." 

Bates  hesitated  a  moment,  then  took  his  sword 
and  turning  to  Lawrence  with  a  bow  said  mockingly, 
"  Good-bye,  Captain,  to  you  and  your  Sunday 
School  class.  Boys,  all  of  you  who  have  any  sand 
follow  me.  It 's  to  Lane  or  Montgomery;  they  are 
the  boys  to  fight  under." 

Ten  of  the  company  joined  him  as  he  rode  away. 

During  the  exciting  minutes  of  the  mutiny  most 
of  the  company  had  stood  as  if  spell  bound,  neither 
had  Mark  Marvin,  the  first  lieutenant,  offered  to 
help  quell  the  outbreak. 

Lawrence  now  turned  to  him  and  said,  "  Well, 
Lieutenant,  what  of  you?  If  you  and  the  rest  of 
the  men  wish  to  go,  you  have  my  consent." 

"  This  thing  took  me  by  surprise.  Captain,"  re- 
plied Marvin.    "  I  reckon  I  should  have  helped  you, 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  149 

but  what  you  ask  is  a  little  tough  after  all  we  have 
suffered  at  the  hands  of  the  bushwhackers.  Still, 
I  reckon  you  are  right.  You  have  the  sand.  Who 
would  have  thought  you  could  make  Jim  Bates  come 
down  like  that?  I  shall  stay  with  you,  and  I  hope 
the  rest  of  the  boys  will." 

"  Thank  you,  Lieutenant,"  answered  Lawrence. 
"  It  is  just  what  I  expected  of  you.  As  to  my  deal- 
ings with  the  bushwhackers,  you  need  have  no  fears, 
but  to  pillaging,  or  burning  houses  which  shelter 
women  and  children  I  object." 

"  You  can  count  on  me.  Captain,"  replied  Marvin. 
"  From  now  on  I  am  with  you  heart  and  soul,  and 
I  reckon  the  men  will  be.     How  is  it,  boys?  " 

The  men  raised  a  cheer.  "  We  're  with  the  Cap- 
tain," they  shouted. 

Lawrence  noticed  that  three  or  four  of  the  men 
did  not  join  in  the  cheering.  "  They  '11  be  missing 
by  morning,"  he  thought. 

As  soon  as  Lawrence  met  Morris  alone  he 
grasped  him  by  the  hand.  "  I  hardly  know  how 
to  thank  you,"  he  exclaimed,  "  but  for  you,  that 
affair  might  have  ended  much  differently." 

"Bah!  that  Bates  is  a  coward  at  heart,  in  spite 
of  all  his  boasting,"  replied  Morris,  "  but  there  was 
something  to  fear  from  the  men.  I  saw  by  their 
looks  that  some  of  them  meant  to  support  Bates. 
It 's  all  over  now,   though,  you  '11  have  no  more 


150  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

trouble.  Not  a  man  in  the  company  but  fears  and 
respects  you." 

Among  the  men  that  night  there  \vas  many  a 
heated  argument,  but  they  all  agreed  it  would  not 
do  to  fool  with  the  young  captain.  Like  all  soldiers 
they  admired  bravery,  and  the  action  of  Lawrence 
had  won  their  hearts. 

In  the  morning,  as  Lawrence  expected,  he  found 
five  more  of  the  men  missing.  This  left  him  only 
thirty-five. 

"  Boys,  I  would  rather  have  you  only  thirty-five," 
he  said,  "  than  a  regiment  of  such  as  have  left. 
There  is  not  a  man  among  you,  but  I  know  I  can 
trust." 

The  march  was  without  incident  during  the  day 
until  late  in  the  afternoon,  when  Lawrence,  who  was 
scouting  some  distance  in  advance  of  the  column 
passed  a  house  where  two  men  stood  by  the  fence 
watching  him. 

"  Any  Rebs  around?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Yep,  I  'm  one,"  answered  one  of  the  men. 

"  Well,  my  friend,  you  're  honest  anyway," 
laughed  Lawrence. 

"  Reckon  you  will  steal  everything  I  have,"  said 
the  fellow. 

"  Not  as  bad  as  that,"  replied  Lawrence,  "  if  you 
behave  yourself.  But  there  is  a  column  of  infantry 
behind,   and  you  had  better  not  be  quite  so  out- 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  151 

spoken;  and  if  you  have  any  nice  fat  pigs  you  had 
better  not  let  thcni  run  around  die  soldiers'  legs.  It 
might  be  bad  for  the  pigs." 

"  Reckon  I  had  better  get  them  pigs  out  of  the 
way,"  he  drawled,  and  started  across  the  road,  where 
a  rude  barn  stood  with  several  pigs  rutting  around 
it. 

"  Say.  Cap.  my  name  is  Hank  Wilson  and  I  'm 
no  Reb,"  whispered  the  man  when  out  of  hearing 
of  his  companion.  "  I  have  to  pretend  to  be,  to  live 
here.  Tom  Proctor  and  his  band  of  guerillas  left 
here  not  an  hour  ago.  He  said  they  were  going  for 
old  man  Semans  who  lives  about  four  miles  from 
here.  Claimed  Semans  had  been  informing  on 
them." 

"How  many  in  the  gang?"  asked  Lawrence. 

"  'Bout  seventy,  I  would  say." 

"And  where  does  this  Semans  live?" 

"  First  road  to  the  left,  'bout  four  miles.  How 
many  men  have  you?  " 

"  Thirty-five." 

"  Never  do  to  attack  Proctor  with  that  number. 
His  men  are  devils." 

"  What  does  Proctor  intend  to  do  with  Semans?  " 
asked  Lawrence. 

"  Shoot  or  hang  him,"  drawled  the  man. 

"  li  Proctor  had  twice  seventy  men  I  would  try 
and  save   Semans.      There  is   a   strong  column  of 


152  TRE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

infantry  behind  to  fall  back  upon.  Thank  you  for 
your  information.  If  it  is  false,  you  will  hear  from 
me." 

Lawrence  gave  the  command  and  the  troop  gal- 
loped away.  Wilson  stood  and  watched  them  and 
saw  they  turned  down  the  road  to  Semans's.  "  The 
fool,"  he  muttered.  "  Proctor  will  eat  that  squad 
up.  Precious  little  good  the  infantry  behind  will 
do.  But  I  have  it.  I  will  save  him  if  I  can.  I  like 
his  looks." 

Apparently  forgetting  his  hogs  he  went  back  to 
where  his  companion  was  still  leaning  on  the  fence 
watching  Lawrence  and  his  men.  "  Say,  Dave, 
that  young  chap  will  get  into  trouble,"  he  grinned. 

"  He  will  run  right  into  Proctor,  and  not  one  of 
them  will  get  back  alive." 

"  Do  n't  know  about  that,  Dave,  I  reckon  it 's 
Proctor  had  better  look  out,"  answered  Wilson. 
"  You  had  better  git  ahead  of  them  fellers  and  warn 
him.  The  boys  will  be  so  busy  with  Semans  they 
won't  keep  a  sharp  lookout." 

"What  do  you  mean?"  askea  Dave  in  surprise. 

"  I  pumped  that  young  captain.  He 's  rather 
green,  a-nd  there  is  hundreds  of  Yanks  just  behind. 
They  know  all  about  Proctor  being  in  the  neighbor- 
hood and  have  sent  a  strong  column  to  cut  him  off. 
This  gang  will  make  a  feint  of  engaging  him  and 
then  come  back  with  a  rush.     By  that  time  the  place 


A  CHANGE  OF  BASE  153 

will  be  swarming  with  Yanks,  and  Proctor  will  be 

in  a  trap.     By  — !  here  come  the  Yanks  now." 
"  I  'm   off,"   cried   Dave.     "  My   hoss   is    in   the 

barn  and  I  can  ride  through  the  field  and  head  them 

Yanks  off  and  warn  Proctor." 

"Just  the  thing,  Dave.     Hurry  up." 

In  less  than  two  minutes  Dave  was  on  his  horse 

and  riding  as  if  for  his  life  through  the  fields  to  get 

ahead  of  Lawrence  and  his  men. 


CHAPTER  XI 

A  FIGHT  WITH  GUERILLAS 

WHEN  out  of  sight  of  the  house  Lawrence 
halted  his  troop  and  explained  the  situa- 
tion to  them.  "  The  guerillas  are  two 
to  one/'  he  said.    "  Boys,  shall  we  attack  or  not?  " 

"Attack!"  shouted  ever>^  one  of  the  men, 

"  Then  we  must  surprise  them  if  possible.  Hold 
your  fire  until  close,  give  them  a  volley  from  your 
carbines,  and  then  use  your  revolvers.  Keep  cool, 
take  good  aim,  and  make  every  shot  count." 

They  had  gone  about  three  miles  when  Mark 
Marvin  who  was  riding  by  the  side  of  Lawrence, 
said.  "  I  hear  firing.  See  there  's  smoke  from  a 
burning  building.     The  devils  are  at  their  work." 

"Forward!     Gallop!"  shouted  Lawrence. 

Just  then  a  lone  horseman  was  seen  in  a  large 
field  to  their  left.  His  horse  was  at  full  speed  and 
he  was  apparently  trying  to  gain  the  road  in  ad- 
vance of  them.  Lawrence  took  a  quick  look  at  him 
through  his  field  glasses. 

"  The  fellow  who  was  leaning  on  the  fence  in 
front  of  Wilson's,"  he  exclaimed.     "  He  is  going  to 

154 


A  FlCnr  WITH  GUERILLAS  loo 

warn  Proctor,  and  he  is  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
ahead  of  us." 

Lawrence  was  right,  and  the  man  came  into  the 
road  some  four  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  them. 
Two  or  three  shots  were  fired  at  him  but  without 
effect. 

"  Do  n't  waste  time.  Forward !  "  shouted  Law- 
rence, and  the  party  dashed  forward  in  a  wild  chase. 

The  report  of  fire  arms  in  front  was  now  plainly 
heard  and  in  a  moment  more  the  scene  of  conflict 
came  into  view.  Smoke  was  rolling  from  the  hou?e 
and  from  a  big  barn.  The  fire  of  the  guerillas 
seemed  to  be  directed  against  the  barn. 

The  man  ahead  was  now  riding  like  mad,  swing- 
ing his  hat  and  shouting,  "  Run !  Run !  The  Yanks 
are  on  you." 

Just  then  there  burst  out  of  the  burning  barn  a 
man,  a  boy  and  a  large  dog.  The  man  and  boy  both 
fired  and  two  of  the  guerillas  dropped,  but  a  second 
later  the  man  threw  up  his  arms  and  fell  on  his  face. 

"  Charge !  "  shouted  Lawrence,  and  with  a  cheer 
the  troop  swept  forward. 

The  guerillas,  taken  by  surprise  and  not  know- 
ing the  number  attacking  them,  scattered  like  a  pack 
of  scared  wolves.  Dave  Calloway,  the  man  who  rode 
to  give  the  warning,  lingered  a  moment  too  long; 
with  an  angry  roar  the  dog  was  on  him,  fastening 
his  teeth  in  his  throat.     The  troop  gave  the  fleeiirg 


156  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

guerillas  a  parting  volley  and  one  was  seen  to  reel 
in  his  saddle. 

Both  house  and  barn  were  now  a  roaring  mass  of 
flames.  A  woman  with  a  terrified  child  clinging  to 
her  crept  out  from  some  shrubbery  where  they  had 
taken  refuge. 

Her  eyes  fell  on  the  dead  body  of  her  husband 
and  with  a  heart-breaking  cry  she  threw  herself  on 
him,  covering  his  face  with  kisses. 

The  boy,  who  was  a  fine  manly  looking  fellow  of 
about  sixteen  years  of  age,  had  been  badly  burned, 
but  he  tried  to  comfort  his  mother  and  little  sister, 
not  heeding  his  own  suffering. 

Three  of  the  guerillas  were  dead  and  one  badly 
wounded.  So  wrought  up  by  the  scene  were  some 
of  the  men  that  they  were  on  the  point  of  killing  the 
wounded  one  when  Lawrence  interfered.  "  Never 
let  it  be  said,"  he  exclaimed,  "  that  one  of  my  troop 
ever  killed  a  wounded  man,  no  matter  what  his 
crimes  may  have  been." 

Harry  Semans  gave  Lawrence  an  account  of  the 
affair.  "  My  father  a  few  days  ago  sent  me  to 
Cameron,"  he  said,  "  to  inform  the  commanding  of- 
ficer there  of  the  depredations  of  Proctor's  gang. 
In  some  way  Proctor  found  it  out,  probably  through 
that  scoundrel  there,"  pointing  to  the  body  of  Cal- 
loway, who  lay,  a  dreadful  object,  with  his  throat 
all  torn.    "  He  pretended  to  be  a  friend  of  father's, 


A  FIGHT  WITH  GUEEILLAS  157 

but  I  always  mistrusted  him  for  a  spy;  and  Bruno, 
our  dog,  could  never  bear  him.  Dad  and  I  saw 
them  coming  and  we  grabbed  our  guns  and  rushed 
to  the  barn  where  we  had  two  horses  standing  sad- 
dled, ready  for  just  such  emergencies,  for  he  had 
received  warning  that  Proctor  had  vowed  vengeance 
on  Dad.  But  they  were  too  quick  for  us  and  we  saw 
all  we  could  do  was  to  sell  our  lives  as  dearly  as 
possible.  We  killed  two  of  them  and  that  made 
them  careful,  but  they  sneaked  around  and  fired  the 
barn.  W'e  stood  it  as  long  as  we  could,  and  then 
rushed  out,  thinking  it  better  to  die  by  bullets  than 
be  burned  to  death.  We  got  two  more  as  we  came 
out,  but  they  got  poor  Dad.  But  it  is  n't  over  yet, 
I  '11  have  my  revenge." 

The  boy's  eyes  flashed  as  he  stood  clutching  his 
rifle,  looking  upon  the  scene  of  death  and  destruc- 
tion around  him. 

A  white-haired,  patriotic-looking  man  now  came 
riding  up.  Dismounting  he  introduced  himself  as  a 
Mr.  Piper,  a  near  neighbor.  "  I  feared  this,"  he 
said,  "  and  told  Mr.  Semans  weeks  ago  he  had  bet- 
ter leave  the  country,  but  he  would  not  listen." 

"  Then  you  are  one  of  those  who  though  taking 
no  part  in  such  damnable  outrages  as  this,  aid  and 
protect  the  villains  who  do,"  replied  Lawrence 
hotly. 

The  old  gentleman  flushed  and  drawing  himself 


158  THE  SCOVT  OF  PEA  TdDGE 

up  proudly  said,  "  I  will  not  deny,  suh,  that  I  am  fur 
the  South.  I  am  a  slave-holder  and  believe  slavery 
is  right.  I  have  two  sons  with  Price,  but,  suh,  they 
are  honorable  soldiers.  I  do  not  believe  in  such 
warfare  as  this  but  what  can  I  do,  suh? 

"  The  action  of  the  Yankee  Government  has  let 
loose  the  poor  white  trash  of  the  State,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  South  they  kill  and  plunder.  It  would 
be  as  much  as  my  life  is  worth  to  refuse  to  feed  them 
if  they  demanded  food,  suh.  It  was  but  three  days 
ago  that  this  same  gang  of  Proctor's  took  two  of  my 
best  horses  and  I  dare  not  say  a  word,  suh,  not  a 
word." 

"  Pardon  me,"  replied  Lavi^rence.  "  I  am  afraid  I 
judged  you  harshly.  But  what  is  to  become  of  this 
poor   family?  " 

"  My  roof  will  protect  the  woman  and  the  child, 
suh,  until  we  see  what  can  be  done,"  answered  the 
old  gentleman. 

Lawrence  grasped  his  hand.  "  Would  that  all 
our  enemies  were  like  you,"  he  exclaimed,  "  surely 
much  of  the  horrors  of  war  would  be  mitigated." 

Mrs.  Semans  was  now  consulted.  She  said  she 
had  relatives  living  in  Illinois  and  she  and  the  chil- 
dren would  go  to  them.  "  We  have  a  little  money," 
she  said,  "  We  buried  it  when  these  troublesome 
times  came,  so  it  is  safe." 

Just  then  a  squad  of  horsemen  came  galloping  up. 


A  FIGHT  WITH  GUERILLAS  159 

The  officer  in  command  said  Wilson  had  lold  the 
colonel  of  the  near  proximity  of  Proctor's  gang  and 
of  Lawrence's  pursuit. 

"  We  feared  for  your  safety,"  said  the  officer, 
"  so  the  colonel  halted  his  columns  and  a  strong  force 
of  infantry  is  now  marching  to  your  relief." 

"  Go  and  turn  them  back,"  said  Lawrence.  "  Tell 
the  Colonel  I  am  very  much  obliged,  but  that  I  am 
all  right.  It  is  useless  to  try  to  catch  Proctor  with 
infantr}\  Tell  him  to  move  on  and  I  will  join  the 
column  sometime  during  the  night,  or  early  in  the 
morning." 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  officer.  "  We  were  some- 
what worried,  for  Wilson  said  Proctor  had  twice  as 
many  men  as  you." 

"  I  do  n't  know  how  many  of  the  gang  there 
were,"  replied  Lawrence.  "  They  got  away  too 
quickly  to  see.  It  is  a  pity  we  did  not  get  here  a 
few  minutes  quicker  for  we  could  have  saved  this 
man's  life." 

"  You  did  well  as  it  is,  but  I  must  go  and  turn 
the  infantry  back;  so  good-bye  and  be  careful  that 
Proctor  don't  come  back  at  you." 

]Morris  now  called  Lawrence  one  side  and  pro- 
posed a  most  daring  scheme.  He  would  imperson- 
ate a  Confederate  scout,  tell  Proctor  of  the  small- 
ness  of  the  Federal  force,  and  advise  him  to  attack. 
In  the  meantime  Lawrence  could  prepare  an  am- 


160  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

buscade,  and  deal  Proctor  a  blow  that  he  would 
remember. 

At  first  Lawrence  strongly  objected  on  account 
of  the  danger  Morris  would  run,  but  he  merely 
shrugged  his  shoulders,  remarking,  "  No  danger, 
no  excitement."  So  Lawrence  reluctantly  gave  his 
consent. 

Much  to  the  amazement  of  the  men  Morris  now 
rode  away  alone.  Lawrence  gave  his  attention  to 
the  dead,  who  were  decently  interred.  The  wounded 
guerilla  was  taken  to  the  home  of  Mr.  Piper.  He 
was  greatly  surprised  at  the  mercy  shown  him  and 
feebly  taking  Lawrence's  hand  whispered,  "  If  I 
live  I  will  remember  this." 

Lawrence  thought  little  of  this  at  the  time,  but 
later  he  had  cause  to  remember  it. 

The  money  which  Mr.  Semans  had  buried  was 
dug  up  and  given  to  the  widow.  Now  the  unex- 
pected happened.  The  boy  Harry  Semans  refused 
to  go  with  his  mother.  "  Mother,  you  and  Ella  go 
to  Illinois  and  be  safe,"  he  exclaimed.  "  But  I  am 
not  going  to  run  away.  I  am  going  to  stay  and 
fight  these  hounds,  I  and  Bruno,  here,"  and  he 
patted  the  dog's  head. 

The  mother  with  tears  begged  him  to  come. 
"  You  and  Ella  are  all  I  have  now,"  she  sobbed. 

The  boy  pointed  to  the  fresh  earth  heaped  above 
his  father.     "  Mother,"  and  his  voice  trembled  with 


A  FIGHT  WITH  GVEEILLAS  161 

passion,  "do  you  not  want  to  be  revenged?  If  I 
live  I  will  have  ten  lives  for  his." 

Harry  then  went  to  Lawrence.  "  Captain,  please 
let  me  go  with  you,"  he  begged,  "  me  and  Bruno, 
here." 

"  I  might  take  you,"  said  Lawrence,  "  but  what 
can  I  do  with  Bruno  ?  "  and  he  looked  at  the  great 
dog,  which  was  half  mastiff  and  half  Newfound- 
land. 

"  Bruno  knows  more  than  many  men,"  said 
Harry.  "  I  believe  he  is  half  human.  On  a  scout 
he  would  be  worth  ten  men.  If  Dad  and  I  had 
heeded  his  warning  to-day  we  could  have  got  away. 
I  would  like  to  go  with  you,  Captain,  but  if  you  will 
not  take  Bruno  there  is  no  use  talking." 

"  Very  w^ell,"  replied  Lawrence  smiling,  "  I  will 
try  you  and  the  dog." 

It  was  a  sad  parting  between  Harry  and  his 
mother  and  little  sister,  but  it  was  over  at  last.  "  I 
will  be  happy,  mother,"  were  the  parting  words  of 
the  boy,  "  knowing  that  you  and  Ella  are  safe." 

Lawrence  now  assembled  the  troops  together, 
telling  them  he  would  select  a  good  position  and 
aw^ait  the  return  of  Morris  who  had  gone  on  a 
scout.  "  If  he  does  not  return  by  dark,"  he  said, 
"  we  are  to  wait  no  longer,  but  rejoin  the  column." 

A  good  position  was  selected,  pickets  sent  out  to 
guard  against  surprise  and   the  return   of  Morris 


162  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

awaited.     Would  he  return?    Tliat  question  caused 
Lawrence  many  forebodings. 

When  Morris  left  the  troop  he  rode  straight  down 
the  road  over  which  the  guerillas  had  retreated. 
He  expected  to  overtake  some  of  them,  and  was  not 
disappointed.  After  going  some  three  miles  he 
came  to  a  squad  of  men  who  seemed  to  be  guarding 
a  road  which  led  to  the  left.  They  halted  him, 
roughly  asking  who  he  was  and  where  he  was 
going. 

"  Be  you  'ns  some  of  Proctor's  men  who  had  a 
fight  back  heah  ?  "  drawled  Morris. 

"  What  of  it?  Who  do  yo  'un  know  about  it?  " 
demanded  one  of  the  men  fiercely. 

"  Do  n't  blame  you  for  being  mad,"   continued 
Morris.    "  It  makes  me  mad  to  think  of  you  'ns  run- 
ning away   from  less  than  half  your  number.     If 
you  'ns    do  n't    go    back    and    whip    them    fellers,        I 
you  'ns  are  not  the  men  I  take  you  to  be?" 

"  Look  heah,  stranger,"  said  one  of  the  men. 
"  Thar  was  a  whole  regiment  of  them  Yanks  what 
came  for  we  'uns.     I  seen  hundreds." 

Morris  laughed,  "  Instead  of  seeing  double,  you 
must  have  seen  ten  at  least  where  there  was  but 
one.  I  counted  them.  Thar  was  about  thirty. 
Whar  is  Captain  Proctor?" 

"  Thar  he  is  comnig  now,"  exclaimed  one  of  the 
men,  pointing  to  a  horseman  coming  down  the  road. 


A  FIGHT  WITH  GUERILLAS  163 

As  Proctor  came  up  Morris  coolly  saluted  him 
and  said,  "  Captain,  allow  me  to  introduce  myself. 
I  am  Charles  Morris,  scout  and  spy  for  General 
Price.  I  've  been  up  in  some  of  the  north  counties 
trying  to  get  recruits  for  Price." 

"  Cap,  he  says  thar  was  only  thirty  of  them  Yanks 
that  run  us  away  from  Semans's,"  spoke  up  one  of 
the  men. 

Proctor  turned  on  Morris,  his  face  red  with  anger. 
"What  do  you  know  about  Semans's?"  he  de- 
manded. "  Who  are  you,  anyway?  Show  me  your 
credentials.  How  do  I  know  but  N\hat  you  're  a 
sneaking  spy?  Dave  Calloway  warned  us  and  he 
never  would  have  told  us  to  run  from  thirty 
Yanks." 

"  Dave  will  never  warn  you  again,"  replied 
Morris. 

"  Why  ?  By  —  !  I  've  a  mind  to  shoot  you. 
You  know  too  much." 

"  I  would  n't  if  I  were  you.  It  might  get  you 
into  trouble,"  said  Morris  coolly.  "  Read  that." 
Morris  took  off  his  hat  and  from  under  the  band 
took  the  pass  he  had  received  from  General  Price. 
Morris  rightly  guessed  that  the  news  of  his  true 
character  had  not  reached  northern  Missouri. 

Proctor  read  it  with  a  frowning  face. 

"  You  see.  Captain,  if  you  put  me  out  of  the  way 
you  might  have  to  settle  with  Price,"  said  Morris 


164  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

mildly.  "  But  I  do  n't  blame  you  for  being  cau- 
tious. Now  let  me  explain.  There  is  a  large  body 
of  Yankee  infantry  over  on  the  main  road,  about 
four  miles  from  here.  Dave  Calloway  thought  they 
had  sent  a  column  to  cut  you  off  and  that  the  men 
who  attacked  you  were  only  a  blind  to  get  you  to 
follow  tHcm.  That  big  dog  of  Semans's  killed  Dave. 
Tore  his  throat  all  to  pieces.  That  is  the  reason  I 
told  you  he  would  never  warn  you  again. 

"  Now  as  to  how  I  come  to  know  all  this.  I  have 
important  despatches  for  General  Price  and  must 
reach  him  as  soon  as  possible.  I  expected  to  be  in 
Richmond  by  this  time.  I  came  nearly  running  into 
those  Yankees  over  on  the  other  road,  so  switched 
over  on  this  one.  That  fight  of  yours  made  me  sus- 
picious.   I  stopped  at  a  Mr.  Piper's.    He  's  all  right." 

"  Yes,  I  know  him,"  growled  Proctor. 

"  Well,  he  told  me  he  would  go  and  see  what  the 
trouble  was.  He  was  gone  quite  a  long  time  and 
when  he  returned  told  me  all  about  the  fight.  Said 
he  counted  the  Yanks  and  there  were  just  thirty  of 
them.  He  was  all  cut  up  about  you  fellows  run- 
ning away." 

"  Now,  do  n't  stick  it  In  a  fellow  too  hard,"  said 
Proctor.  "  We  did  n't  see  those  fellows  until  they 
were  on  us  and  we  did  n't  know  but  what  there  were 
a  thousand  of  them.  And  then  there  was  Dave 
yelling  like  mad  for  us  to  get." 


A  FIGHT  WITH  GUEEILLAS  165 

"Yes,  I  know,"  answered  Morris,  "  but  if  I  were 
you  I  would  come  back  at  those  Yanks,  and  come 
strong.  Piper  says  the  captain  in  command  of  the 
Yanks  is  a  young  chap,  and  that  he  is  all  swelled  up 
over  his  victor}',  and  that  he  is  going  to  camp  at 
Semans's  to-night,  send  for  more  troops  and  hunt 
you  up  to-morrow." 

"  He  is,  is  he  ? "  exclaimed  Proctor,  his  eyes 
gleaming  with  hate.  "  I  will  have  something  to  say. 
You  are  sure  thar  's  only  thirty." 

"  That 's  what  Piper  says,"  answered  Morris. 
"  I  would  give  anything  to  stay  and  see  the  fun, 
but  I  must  be  in  Richmond  to-night." 

"  Hold  on,  stranger,"  said  Proctor  as  Morris 
started  to  ride  away.  "  You  have  not  told  us  how 
you  avoided  them  Yanks." 

"  Oh !  Piper  showed  me  a  cut  through  the  woods 
and  I  came  out  into  the  road  this  side  of  them." 

"  All  right.  Wish  you  could  stay  and  see  the  fun. 
I  would  like  to  have  you  see  the  way  we  will  chew 
them  Yanks  up." 

"  Hang  those  you  do  n't  kill,"  yelled  Morris  as 
he  galloped  away. 

"  Now  to  get  back,"  muttered  Morris,  "  or  I  may 
have  done  more  harm  than  good."  He  stopped 
long  enough  to  take  from  the  roll  behind  his  saddle 
a  wig  and  mustaches  and  after  they  had  been  ad- 
justed.  Captain   Proctor  would  hardly  have  taken 


166  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

him  for  the  same  person  with  wliom  he  had  just 
talked. 

Morris's  plan  was  to  take  the  first  road  to  the  right 
and  ride  until  he  came  to  a  road  leading  north,  then 
on  that  until  he  came  to  the  road  they  had  come  over 
during  the  day.  This  would  give  him  several  miles 
of  extra  travel  and  it  was  already  getting  late,  so  he 
urged  his  horse  to  a  stiff  gallop. 

People  rushed  out  of  their  houses  to  gaze  after 
him  as  he  galloped  past.  Those  he  met  shouted  and 
asked  him  what  was  up.  One  took  a  shot  at  him 
after  he  had  passed.  At  last  he  overtook  a  party  of 
three  who  showed  that  they  meant  to  give  him 
trouble. 

"What's  the  hurry,  stranger?"  they  shouted. 
"  Hold  on  and  tell  us." 

"  No  time,"  said  Morris. 

"  Take  time  and  that  mighty  quick,"  exclaimed 
one  reaching  for  his  pistol  and  attempting  to  block 
Morris's  way.  He  was  too  slow.  Morris's  revolver 
spoke  and  the  man  tumbled  from  his  horse.  'The 
other  two  fired,  but  their  horses  had  shied  at  the 
sound  of  Morris's  revolver  and  their  shots  went  wild. 
Morris  turned  in  his  saddle  and  fired  again  and  an- 
other saddle  was  empty.  The  remaining  man  had 
no  stomach  to  follow  one  whose  aim  was  so  true, 
and  gave  up  the  pursuit. 

"  Whew !  that  was  a  close  shave,"  laughed  Mor- 


A  FIGET  WITH  GUERILLAS  167 

ris.  "  Most  excitement  I  've  had  for  some  lime. 
This  is  hving." 

The  sun  was  sinking  to  rest  when  Morris  rode  his 
reeking  horse  into  camp. 

"  Never  more  glad  to  see  you  in  my  Hfe,"  said 
Lawrence  as  he  grabbed  his  hand.  "  I  began  to  fear 
for  your  safety." 

"  I  'm  all  right,"  said  Morris,  "  Had  one  or  two 
close  calls.  Tell  you  about  it  when  I  have  time,  but 
get  ready  for  a  fight.  Proctor  and  his  men  will  call 
on  you  to-night  and  you  want  to  give  him  a  warm 
reception." 

Lawrence  had  not  been  idle  while  Morris  was 
gone.  He  had  looked  over  the  ground  and  selected 
a  place  for  an  ambuscade  about  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  from  where  the  troop  was  camped.  Here  the 
road  ran  down  a  hill  and  was  dug  out  a  few  feet. 
Each  side  was  fringed  with  a  thick  growth  of 
bushes.  Horsemen  would  find  it  almost  impossible 
to  turn  out  of  the  road.  They  w-ould  have  to  go 
ahead  or  turn  back. 

One  old  building  on  Semans's  farm  had  not  been 
burned.  In  it  was  plenty  of  forage  for  the  horses, 
and  Lawrence  had  camped  his  troop  around  it. 

As  soon  as  it  was  dark,  leaving  his  camp  fires 
burning,  Lawrence  moved  his  troop  to  the  place  of 
ambuscade.  Every  detail  was  carefully  arranged. 
The  horses  were  left  in  the  rear,  close  to  open  fields 


168  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

which  led  to  the  road  over  which  they  would  wish 
to  retreat.  Fences  were  let  down  so  as  to  have  an 
open  way.  Half  a  dozen  of  the  men  were  left  with 
the  horses  and  the  rest  stationed  a  few  yards  apart 
in  the  bushes  along  the  sides  of  the  road. 

Lawrence's  orders  were,  "  Not  a  whisper,  not  the 
slightest  move.  At  the  command  *  Fire,'  pour  in  a 
volley  from  your  carbines,  and  then  give  them  the 
six  shots  from  your  navies.  Do  n't  wait  for  results. 
As  soon  as  your  revolvers  are  empty,  make  a  break 
for  the  horses,  when  there  reload  your  weapons  and 
await  further  orders.  Above  all  things  keep  cool 
and  fire  low." 

So  there  in  the  darkness  of  the  night  with  every 
nerve  strained  to  the  utmost  tension,  the  twenty- 
five  men  waited  the  coming  of  more  than  thrice  their 
number. 

Tom  Proctor,  the  captain  of  the  guerillas,  watched 
Morris  as  he  rode  out  of  sight,  in  an  amiable  frame 
of  mind.  "Thinks  we're  cowards,  does  he?"  he 
growled.  "  Boys,  we  '11  show  him.  But  why  was  he 
so  anxious  for  us  to  attack  the  Yanks  ?  \\'ish  I  had 
kept  him.  It  may  be  a  Yankee  trick  to  draw  us  into 
a  trap,  and  that  fellow  may  be  no  spy  of  Price's  at 
all.  I  do  n't  like  the  idea  of  that  infantry  being  so 
near." 

The  matter  was  discussed  with  his  men  and  it  was 
decided   to   send  out   spies   to  learn   the   situation. 


A  FIGHT  WITH  GUERILLAS  169 

They  were  to  learn  as  near  as  possible  the  number 
in  the  troop  and  if  they  were  going  to  camp  on  the 
Semans's  place.  They  were  to  see  Piper  if  they 
could,  and  find  if  Morris  had  talked  to  him  as  he 
claimed. 

Four  men  were  sent  to  locate  the  infantry. 

Proctor  decided  to  make  no  movement  until  all 
these  men  had  reported. 

It  was  nearly  dark  before  the  men  came  in.  The 
three  sent  to  spy  on  Lawrence  were  first  to  return. 
They  reported  they  had  found  things  about  as  Mor- 
ris said.  The  troop  was  camped  by  the  old  barn 
on  the  Semans  place,  and  it  looked  as  if  they  in- 
tended to  stay  there  for  the  night  as  the  horses  were 
being  fed,  and  the  men  were  cooking  their  suppers. 
They  had  never  been  able  to  count  more  than  twenty 
men  at  one  time,  but  there  were  some  on  picket,  and 
there  was  a  guard  at  Piper's,  so  it  was  probable  the 
number  was  between  thirty  and  forty.  Owing  to 
the  guard  around  Piper's  they  could  not  get  to  him, 
and  find  out  if  IMorris  had  seen  and  talked  to  him. 

"  The  fellow's  story  seems  to  be  as  straight  as  a 
string,"  said  Proctor.  "  But  what  puzzles  me  is 
that  little  company  of  cavalry  camping  so  uncon- 
cernedly near  us.  That  captain  must  be  a  fool  if  he 
has  no  support  near.  I  will  wait  and  hear  about  the 
infantry  before  I  make  a  move." 

In  about  half  an  hour  the  four  sent  to  locate  the 


170  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

infantry  returned  and  with  them  about  a  dozen 
more  who  had  come  "  to  have  a  hand  in  the  fun," 
they  said.  They  reported  the  infantry  at  least  eight 
miles  away  and  preparing  to  go  into  camp.  They 
could  discover  no  scouting  parties  out.  But  a 
strange  thing  had  happened.  A  lone  horseman  rid- 
ing furiously  had  passed  up  the  road  leading  west. 
One  of  the  men  who  had  come  in  with  them  had 
tried  to  stop  him,  had  even  fired  at  him,  but  he  paid 
no  attention.  Shortly  afterwards  the  fellow  had  met 
Steve  Holcomb,  Bob  Avery,  and  Jim  Holmes,  who 
ordered  him  to  stop.  He  shot  and  killed  Holcomb, 
badly  wounded  Avery  and  got  away.  Instead  of 
keeping  straight  on  he  took  the  first  road  to  the 
north.  That  was  a  lonely  road  and  they  lost  track 
of  him. 

Proctor  was  much  excited  when  he  heard  this. 
"  You  say  one  of  the  boys  who  came  in  with  you 
saw  and  shot  at  him?"  he  asked. 

"  Yes,  Dan  Hebron,  heah  he  is." 

"Dan,  what  did  he  look  like?" 

Dan  ejected  a  huge  quid  of  tobacco,  and  drawled, 
"  He  was  a  young  fellow  dressed  in  a  gray  suit  and 
rode  a  bay  boss,  and  a  mighty  good  boss  it  was, 
too." 

"Black  hair  and  smooth  face?"  asked  Proctor 
growing  more  excited  every  minute. 

"  Do  n't  know  about  the  hair,  pears  it  was  light, 


A  FianT  WITH  OFFTilLLAS  171 

but  he  had  a  mustache,  a  fine  one.  I  'm  sure  of 
that." 

Proctor  gave  a  sigh  of  rehef.  "  I  was  ahnost 
certain  it  was  that  spy,"  he  exclaimed,  "  but  it  can't 
be,  for  he  had  no  mustache.  Reckon  it  will  be  safe 
to  go  for  them  Yanks." 

With  the  reinforcements  he  had  received  Proctor 
now  had  nearly  seventy  men,  and  he  saw  no  chance 
of  failure.  The  only  question  was  Vv'hether  to  at- 
tack at  once  or  wait  till  morning.  It  was  argued 
that  the  Yanks  might  be  away  by  morning,  so  it  was 
decided  to  attack  at  once. 

The  men  fed  their  horses  and  then  prepared  their 
suppers  in  high  glee.  Quite  a  discussion  arose  among 
them  as  to  how  to  dispose  of  the  prisoners  they 
might  capture,  would  it  be  best  to  shoot  or  hang 
them.  It  was  put  to  vote  and  hanging  had  the  ma- 
jority. At  last  all  was  ready  and  with  oath  and  jest 
they  started  on  their  devilish  mission. 

When  Lawrence  posted  his  men  Harry  Semans 
begged  to  be  one  of  the  number,  but  Bruno  refused 
to  leave  him. 

"  We  can't  have  the  dog,"  said  Lawrence,  "  he 
might  betray  us  to  the  enemy  before  we  are  ready." 

"  Never  fear,"  replied  Harry.  "  Bruno  will  keep 
as  still  as  a  mouse  if  I  tell  him  to.  And  if  the  gue- 
rillas come  he  will  be  the  first  to  warn  us  of  their 
coming." 


172  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

So  Lawrence  permitted  the  dog  to  stay  with  the 
boy  and  he  never  had  cause  to  regret  it.  The  min- 
utes passed  slowly  by  and  ten  o'clock  came.  Bruno 
who  was  lying  beside  his  young  master  suddenly 
raised  his  head  sniffed  the  air  and  uttered  a  low 
growl. 

Harry  put  his  hand  on  the  dog's  head.  *'  Keep 
quiet,"  he  whispered.  "  Lie  still."  The  dog  sank 
down  but  Harry  felt  him  quivering  with  suppressed 
excitement, 

Lawrence  was  close  to  Harry  and  the  boy  whis- 
pered, "  Captain,  they  are  coming." 

The  word  was  passed  softly  along  the  line.  Soon 
the  tramping  of  horses  could  be  heard  and  through 
the  gloom  the  shadowy  forms  of  horsemen  could  be 
seen. 

The  horsemen  halted  just  as  they  reached  the 
right  of  Lawrence's  line  and  one  was  heard  to  say, 
"  I  can  see  the  faint  reflection  of  their  fire,  so  I 
reckon  they  're  thar  yet.     Better  tell  the  captain." 

Proctor  came  up,  saw  the  reflection  of  the  smoul- 
dering camp  fire  and  gave  orders  for  the  column  to 
close  up. 

When  this  was  done  he  said  to  his  advance  guard, 
"  Ride  on  until  you  are  challenged  by  their  outpost. 
Then  charge  at  once.  The  whole  column  will  be 
close  behind.  Go  through  them  like  a  whirlwind. 
Spare  none." 


A  FIGHT  WITH  GUERILLAS  173 

Lawrence  heard  these  orders  and  all  pity  left  his 
heart.  The  men  heard  and  some  trembled,  but 
others  gritted  their  teeth  and  grimly  waited  for  the 
order  to  fire. 

The  advance  guard  was  allowed  to  pass  by,  but 
when  the  head  of  the  column  reached  the  left  of  the 
Union  line,  suddenly,  as  if  a  bolt  had  fallen 
from  Heaven,  there  rang  out  sharply  the  command, 
"  Fire." 

The  word  had  hardly  left  Lawrence's  lips  when 
twenty-five  carbines  blazed.  Then  came  the  sharp 
crack  of  the  six-shooters  in  quick  succession. 

The  scene  in  the  road  must  have  been  awful. 
Groans,  curses  and  shrieks  of  terror  filled  the  air. 
Riderless  horses  reared  and  plunged  trampling  on 
the  dead  and  living.  The  road  was  filled  with  fal- 
len horses  and  men,  the  living,  the  dead  and  the 
wounded,  mixed  in  one  horrible  mass.  Hardly  a 
shot  was  fired  in  return.  The  only  thought  of  those 
who  could  was  to  get  away. 

As  the  last  revolver  shot  died  away,  the  men  true 
to  orders  broke  for  the  horses.  Here  they  rallied 
and  to  his  joy  Lawrence  found  that  not  a  man  was 
missing. 

The  troop  rode  away  unmolested  and  by  two 
o'clock  had  joined  the  infantry  column. 

Of  the  guerillas  fully  one-half  had  been  killed 
and  wounded,  and  those  who  escaped  fled  terror- 


174 


THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 


Stricken,  many  of  them  abandoning  their  horses  and 
taking  to  the  woods. 

Captain  Proctor  was  among  those  killed,  but 
there  were  others  to  take  his  place  as  cruel  and  as 
bloodthirsty  as  he. 


CHAPTER  XII 

THE   CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON 

THE  iniantry  was  a  little  late  in  starting  that 
morning,  which  gave  Lawrence  and  his  tired 
troopers  a  much  needed  rest.  When  the  re- 
sult of  the  encounter  with  Proctor's  gang  was 
known,  Lawrence  and  his  men  were  saluted  with 
cheer  after  cheer,  Lawrence  was  warmly  congratu- 
lated by  the  colonel  in  charge  of  the  column. 

Just  as  the  force  was  about  to  move,  a  courier  es- 
corted by  a  squad  of  cavalry  arrived  from  Cameron 
with  peremptory  orders  for  the  infantry  to  return 
at  once.  Guerillas  had  again  commenced  their  dep- 
redations on  the  Hannibal  and  St.  Joseph  Railroad, 
tearing  it  up  in  several  places,  and  the  force  was 
needed  to  protect  it.  Amid  groans  and  curses  the 
infantry  was  faced  about  to  retrace  their  weaiy 
steps. 

"  Of  course  you  will  go  with  us,"  said  the  colonel 
to  Lawrence.  "  It  would  be  madness  for  you  to 
proceed  with  your  small  force." 

The  orders  for  the  infantry  to  turn  back  came  as 
a  cruel  blow  to  Lawrence.     He  knew  if  he  went 

175 


176  THE  SCOUT  OF  FEA  BIDGE 

back,  it  meant  he  could  take  no  part  in  the  forward 
movement  against  Price.  A  battle  might  be  fought 
any  day.  He  was  aware  that  Price  had  fallen  back 
from  Lexington  before  he  left  St.  Louis ;  that  Fre- 
mont had  organized  his  anny  in  four  grand  divis- 
ions, one  at  Jefferson  City,  one  at  Rolla,  one  at  Tip- 
ton and  one  at  Sedalia,  and  that  these  divisions  were 
to  concentrate  at  Warsaw,  where  it  was  expected  to 
force  Price  to  battle. 

Lawrence  had  no  thought  but  that  Lexington  had 
by  this  time  been  occupied  by  Federal  troops  from 
Kansas  City,  and  as  he  was  now  only  a  day's  march 
from  Lexington  he  believed  there  would  be  little 
danger  in  his  proceeding  to  that  place.  Once  there 
he  could  decide  his  farther  course. 

These  ideas  he  imparted  to  the  colonel  but  that 
officer  shook  his  head.  "  You  are  mistaken,"  he 
said,  "  in  thinking  that  our  forces  occupy  Lexington. 
When  Price  retreated  south  many  companies  of 
State  Guards  did  not  go  with  him  but  remained. 
To  these  add  the  numerous  guerilla  bands,  and  it  is 
estimated  that  there  is  a  force  of  at  least  two  thou- 
sand Rebels  in  and  around  Lexington.  My  orders 
were  to  proceed  to  Lexington  and  disperse  this 
force.  Now  I  am  ordered  back,  what  chance  have 
you  to  proceed  with  your  thirty-odd  men?  You 
would  simply  be  committing  suicide." 

Lawrence  called  his  men  together,  presented  the 


THE  CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON  177 

facts  to  them  and  said  he  would  be  guided  by  their 
opinion. 

Some  of  the  men,  elated  by  their  victory  over 
Proctor,  were  for  going  on.  "  We  can  whip  any 
band  we  meet,"  they  argued,  "  and,  as  for  Lexing- 
ton, we  can  go  around  that." 

Others  of  the  men  demurred,  and  a  hot  discussion 
arose.  Charles  Morris  who  sat  on  his  horse  by  the 
side  of  Lawrence  had  listened  quietly  to  the  dis- 
cussion, but  so  far  had  not  said  a  word.  Lawrence 
now  turned  to  him  and  said,  "  Morris,  w^hat  is  your 
opinion?  " 

"  There  is  but  one  way  for  us  to  go  ahead,"  he 
said. 

"  How  is  that?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

**  Turn  Rebels,  represent  ourselves  as  a  company 
of  State  Guards  on  our  way  to  join  Price." 

The  idea  took  like  wildfire  among  the  men.  It 
was  just  such  an  adventure  as  appealed  to  them. 

"  Then  you  believe  such  a  plan  feasible?  "  asked 
Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  but  it  has  many  elements  of  danger.  Our 
true  characters  might  be  discovered,"  said  Morris. 

"  Let 's  try  it  anyway,"  shouted  the  men, 

"  You  fellow^s  seem  anxious  to  put  your  heads  in 
a  noose,"  replied  Morris.  "  A  single  w^ord  from 
anyone  of  you  might  betray  us.  Every  man  would 
have  to  know  just  what  to  say,  our  stories  would 


178  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

have  to  agree.  In  the  first  place  we  shall  have  to 
agree  just  where  the  troop  was  raised." 

"  The  truth  could  be  told  there,"  spoke  up  Mark 
Marvin.  "  In  the  northwestern  part  of  the  State. 
A  few  of  the  boys  are  from  Kansas." 

"  Are  you  well  enough  acquainted  in  your  part 
of  the  State  to  answer  questions  correctly?"  asked 
Morris. 

"  Certainly,  I  can  tell  all  about  Gentry,  Bu- 
chanan, and  DeKalb  Counties  and  there  are  boys 
here  who  can  speak  for  other  counties." 

"  Let  me  say  a  word,"  spoke  up  Lawrence.  "  I 
certainly  could  not  answer  questions  that  might  be 
asked  me,  for  I  am  totally  unacquainted  with  that 
portion  of  the  county.  For  the  time  being  I  will 
yield  the  command  to  Lieutenant  Marvin,  and  take 
my  place  in  the  ranks.  Let  Sergeant  Miller  take 
Marvin's  place  as  lieutenant,  for  I  understand  he  is 
well  acquainted  throughout  that  whole  section." 

"  A  sensible  idea,"  replied  Morris.  "  Next  I 
must  get  another  horse.  If  we  should  meet  any  of 
Proctor's  men  they  would  spot  this  one  as  soon  as 
they  laid  eyes  on  it.  It  would  also  be  best  for  me 
to  change  my  dress  and  appearance  somewhat." 

"  Anything  you  wish,  Morris,"  said  Lawrence. 
"  Remember  you  will  really  be  the  commander  if  we 
make  this  attempt,  and  we  shall  be  guided  by  you." 

"After  some  discussion  it  was  unanimously  de- 


THE  CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON  179 

cided  to  go  forward.  When  Lawrence  informed  the 
colonel  of  this  decision  he  was  not  only  astonished 
but  angr}'. 

"  I  cannot,  as  your  superior  officer,  permit  this," 
he  exclaimed.  "  I  command  you  to  return  with 
me. 

"  You  forget,  Colonel,  that  I  command  an  inde- 
pendent company.  Let  us  talk  this  over.  I  do  not 
believe  that  the  undertaking  is  as  dangerous  as  you 
believe." 

Lawrence  then  unfolded  the  whole  plan  to  him. 
The  colonel  listened  attentively,  and  then  said, 
"  Perhaps  you  may  be  able  to  get  through  all  right, 
but  it  is  a  dare-devil  undertaking.  Morris,  that  scout 
of  yours,  is  a  wonder.  The  way  he  led  Proctor  into 
a  trap  shows  that.  I  shall  not  oppose  you  further, 
but  remember  it  is  against  my  best  judgment." 

"  Thank  you,  Colonel,"  replied  Lawrence.  "  If 
we  come  to  grief  it  will  be  through  no  fault  of 
yours." 

Lawrence  then  explained  to  the  colonel  Morris's 
wish  to  change  horses. 

"  That  fellow  thinks  of  ever^-thing,"  said  the  coh 
onel,  "  but  he  is  right." 

The  colonel  called  his  sergeant  major  to  him, 
"  Riley,  you  have  a  good  horse,  have  you  not  ?  " 

"  A  dandy,  Colonel,  —  can  outnm  anything  in  the 
regiment." 


180  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  Sorry,  but  I  wish  you  to  exchange  with  Morris, 
that  scout  of  Captain  Middleton's." 

Riley  at  first  strongly  demurred,  but  when  the 
facts  were  presented  to  him  he  yielded  saying, 
"  Bedad !  I  '11  do  anything  for  the  fellow  that 
fooled  Proctor." 

So  the  exchange  was  made  and  Morris  found 
himself  in  possession  of  a  fine  gray  instead  of  a  bay. 
He  also  exchanged  coats  with  one  of  the  boys  who 
did  not  look  in  the  least  like  him,  and  put  on  a 
mustache  that  turned  up  at  the  ends  instead  of  droop- 
ing. "  I  reckon  they  will  have  hard  work  to  place 
me  now,"  he  remarked  with  a  smile. 

The  troop  looked  on  his  metamorphosis  with 
wonder.  "  Blast  me !  "  said  Marvin.  "  I  would  n't 
know  him  myself." 

Adieus  were  now  said,  and  in  parting,  the  colonel, 
wringing  Lawrence's  hand  said  in  a  broken  voice, 
"  Captain,  may  you  get  through  all  right,  but  I  never 
expect  to  see  you  again." 

There  was  not  a  man  in  that  infantry  force  but 
thought  that  the  little  troop  of  cavalry  was  going 
to  its  destruction.  But  the  troop  thought  differently 
and  turned  southward  with  smiling  faces  and  brave 
hearts. 

"  Which  would  you  advise  ?  ''•*  asked  Marvin  who 
had  now  taken  command  of  the  troop.  "  Shall  we 
go  to  Richmond  or  around  it  ?  " 


THE  CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON  181 

"  Straight  for  Richmond,'"  answered  Morris. 
"  The  boldest  course  is  now  the  safest." 

Straight  for  Richmond  they  rode,  and  when  they 
passed  a  house  where  a  Confederate  flag  was  flying, 
they  w^ould  cheer  for  Jeff  Davis  and  General  Price, 
and  the  women  would  answer  with  waving  hand- 
kerchiefs and  cries  of  encouragement. 

Single  horsemen  and  now  and  then  groups  of 
three  or  four  were  passed,  and  to  all  they  had  to  ex- 
plain who  they  were  and  where  they  were  going. 

Now  they  began  to  hear  rumors  of  the  defeat  of 
Proctor  and  that  there  was  a  large  Yankee  force 
advancing  on  Richmond,  and  many  were  the  ques- 
tions asked  of  them. 

To  these  questions  they  answered  they  had  slipped 
by  an  infantry  force  by  going  to  the  west,  but  of 
Proctor's  fight  they  knew  nothing. 

The  dog  Bruno  was  the  cause  of  numerous  ques- 
tions. "  That  dawg,"  answered  Man-in,  "  can 
smell  a  Yank  farther  than  any  dawg  yo'un  have  can 
smell  a  nigger.  We'uns  can  sleep  when  he  is  on 
guard." 

When  Richmond  was  reached  and  it  became 
known  who  they  were,  they  were  given  an  ovation. 
Food  and  drink  were  given  the  men  and  Marvin 
was  invited  to  enjoy  the  hospitality  of  one  of  the 
finest  homes  in  the  city. 

But  rumors  began  to  fly  thick  and  fast.     Two  or 


182  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

three  of  Proctor's  men  had  come  in,  telhng  how 
their  command  had  been  ambushed  by  a  whole  regi- 
ment of  Yankees  and  how  Proctor  had  been  led  into 
the  trap  by  a  young  man  who  claimed  to  be  a  spy 
for  General  Price. 

Then  came  the  news  of  an  infantry  column,  and 
the  whole  town  was  in  a  panic. 

"  We  had  better  get  out  of  here,"  whispered  Law- 
rence to  Marvin.  "  I  am  afraid  some  of  Proctor's 
men  will  come  who  will  recognize  Harry  Semans 
and  his  dog." 

So  thanking  the  people  for  their  hospitality  and 
saying  that  it  was  imperative  for  them  to  reach 
Lexington  as  soon  as  possible,  the  troop  moved  on. 

"  I  feel  better,"  said  Morris  to  Lawrence.  "  Cap- 
tain, we  were  in  more  danger  than  you  thought.  I 
mingled  with  the  crowd.  One  of  Proctor's  men  no- 
ticed the  dog  and  swore  it  was  Semans's  dog,  he 
knew  it  was,  and  Vx^ondered  how  it  came  here.  I 
reckon  if  we  had  stayed  half  an  hour  longer  there 
would  have  been  trouble." 

The  troop  now  rode  forward  rapidly  and  by  sun- 
down neared  the  river.  It  was  thought  best  not  to 
cross  into  Lexington  until  the  next  morning,  there- 
fore they  went  into  camp  in  a  secluded  place  among 
the  bluffs,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  road. 

Morris  signified  his  intention  of  crossing  over  into 
Lexington  to  find  out  the  lay  of  the  land. 


THE  CAPTUBE  OF  LEXINGTON  183 

One  of  the  men  wished  to  go  with  him,  but  Mor- 
ris sternly  refused,  saying  that  in  case  of  trouble 
he  would  be  a  hindrance  instead  of  a  help,  and  rode 
away  alone. 

"  A  queer  fellow,"  remarked  Marvin  to  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  he  never  seems  as  happy  as  when  on  some 
dangerous  undertaking." 

"  He  ought  to  enjoy  something,"  replied  Marvin. 
"  He  is  as  glum  a  looking  young  fellow  as  I  ever 
saw.     Looks  as  if  he  had  no  friend." 

"  He  has  one  here,"  answered  Lawrence  warmly. 

"  As  to  that,  we  all  swear  by  him,"  said  Marvin. 
*'  Wonder  what  makes  him  look  so  sad.  When 
there  is  a  fight  on  he  is  a  changed  being.  I  shall 
never  forget  how  he  looked  when  he  stood  by  your 
side  at  the  time  of  the  mutiny.  Not  a  man  but 
knew  he  would  do  just  what  he  said  he  w'ould." 

"  It  would  have  been  death  if  one  had  raised  a 
finger  to  help  Bates,"  said  Lawrence.  "  I  tell  you 
Morris  is  a  man  one  can  tie  to." 

"  That  he  is,"  answered  the  lieutenant  heartily, 
"  and  all  the  boys  know  it." 

It  was  not  until  the  next  day  near  ten  o'clock  that 
Morris  returned.  Lawrence  had  begun  to  be 
greatly  worried. 

"  I  found  the  city  full  of  independent  companies 
of  State  Guards  to  say  nothing  of  guerillas,"  he 
told  them.    "  I  had  no  trouble,  as  men  are  constantly 


184  TBE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

coming  and  going.  In  all  I  believe  there  are  at 
least  two  thousand  of  the  State  Guards  and  gue- 
rillas in  and  around  Lexington,  and  if  we  get  through 
that  place  without  trouble  I  shall  be  surprised,  for 
when  I  mentioned  that  it  would  be  a  good  thing  for 
the  different  companies  of  Home  Guards  to  get  to- 
gether and  make  their  way  south  to  join  Price  they 
took  it  as  a  joke. 

"  '  Do  n't  you  know,'  they  exclaimed,  '  that  Fre- 
mont's anny  is  squarely  between  us  and  Price?  No 
one  but  a  crazy  man  would  think  of  taking  a  com- 
pany through,'  So  you  see  we  may  have  some 
trouble." 

"  Yet  we  must  make  the  attempt,"  said  Lawrence. 

"  There  is  nothing  else  we  can  do,"  answered 
Morris.  "  But  I  do  n't  like  the  looks  of  things  over 
there.  Why,  they  would  have  hanged  every  Fed- 
eral prisoner  in  the  city  last  night,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  me." 

"  How  is  that  ?  "  asked  Lawrence,  startled. 

"  They  had  heard  of  the  advance  of  the  Federal 
troops  from  Cameron  and  magnified  the  number  five 
times.  The  news  of  the  crushing  defeat  of  Proctor 
had  also  been  received,  and  it  set  them  wild.  It  was 
rumored  that  Richmond  was  already  in  the  hands 
of  the  Federals,  and  that  Lexington  would  next  be 
attacked.  Therefore  they  decided  to  hang  the  pris- 
oners, about  twenty  of  them,  I  believe.     Then  they 


TEE  CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON  185 

were  going  to  disperse  into  the  county,  and  when 
the  Yankees  came,  they  would  all  be  good,  peaceable 
farmers. 

"  I  told  them  I  had  just  come  through  Richmond, 
that  it  was  all  right,  and  that  the  Yankees  instead 
of  advancing  had  turned  back,  so  Lexington  was  in 
no  danger.  I  then  told  them  that  if  they  did  hang 
the  prisoners  and  the  city  was  ever  captured,  the 
Yankees  would  take  a  fearful  revenge  on  the  place. 

"  The  guerillas  cared  little  what  became  of  the 
city,  but  a  number  of  prominent  citizens  sided  with 
me,  and  they  promised  to  postpone  the  hanging  for 
twenty- four  hours.  My  statement  that  the  Yankees 
were  falling  back  was  doubted,  but  two  or  three  of 
Proctor's  men  who  had  escaped  came  in,  also  some 
scouts  and  they  verified  my  report  and  put  me  all 
right. 

"  But  say,"  and  Morris  actually  laughed,  "  you 
ought  to  have  heard  Proctor's  men.  They  claimed 
they  fought  a  force  of  over  a  thousand  for  two 
hours  and  it  was  not  until  nearly  all  of  them  were 
shot  down  that  they  retreated. 

"  *  But  the  Yankees  paid  dearly  for  their  fun,' 
said  one.  '  Thar  was  at  least  two  hundred  of  them 
killed  and  wounded.'  " 

"  Did  they  say  anything  of  the  spy  who  led  them 
into  the  trap  ?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  I  never  enjoyed  anything  in  my  life  as  I  did 


186  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

hearing  those  men  cuss  me.  If  they  only  had  had 
me  they  would  have  put  me  to  slow  torture  and 
danced  around  me  like  a  pack  of  painted  savages. 
And,  to  think  I  was  there  and  heard  it  all.  I  tell 
you,  it  was  glorious." 

"  It  must  have  been,"  said  Lawrence  dryly,  "  but 
excuse  me." 

The  question  of  moving  now  came  up.  Morris 
looked  around  and  his  eyes  fell  on  Harry  Semans 
and  Bruno.  His  face  clouded.  "  We  can  never  get 
through  with  them,"  he  exclaimed.  "  A  number  of 
Proctors  men  are  in  the  city  and  they  would  recog- 
nize both  the  boy  and  the  dog." 

He  thought  a  moment  and  then  said,  "  Perhaps  I 
can  fix  the  boy." 

There  happened  to  be  a  chokeberry  bush  grow- 
ing close  by,  full  of  ripe  berries.  Calling  Harry  to 
him  Morris  stained  one  of  his  cheeks  with  the  juice. 
It  had  the  appearance  of  blood  dried  on.  He  then 
took  a  dirty  handkerchief  and  bound  it  over  one  eye, 
concealing  as  much  of  the  face  as  possible. 

"  Reckon  that  is  all  right,  my  boy.  You  can  go," 
said  Morris.  "  If  anyone  asks  you  how  you  got 
hurt  tell  them  your  horse  threw  you.  As  for  Bruno 
we  will  have  to  leave  him." 

"What,  leave  Bruno?     I  can't.     I  can't." 

"  I  am  sorry,  my  boy,  but  it 's  that  or  hanging 
for  us  all." 


TEE  CAPTUEE  OF  LEXINGTON  187 

"  Let  's  shoot  him,"  said  one  of  the  men  drawing 
his  revolver. 

"  No,  no,"  cried  Harry.  "  Not  that.  I  will  send 
him  away.     He  will  mind  me." 

Seeing  the  distress  of  Harry,  Lawrence  told  him 
if  he  was  sure  he  could  send  the  dog  away,  he  should 
not  be  killed. 

Harry  took  Bnmo  some  distance  away,  in  fact 
out  of  sight.  He  was  gone  some  time  and  when  he 
appeared,  Bruno  was  not  with  him,  nor  was  he  when 
the  troop  reached  the  river. 

They  had  to  wait  some  time  for  a  ferry,  and  by 
the  time  they  could  cross  there  was  a  motley  crowd 
to  go  with  them,  and  an  inquisitive  crowd  it  was  too. 

There  were  two  men  more  iI^quisitive  than  the 
rest.  Each  had  two  huge  navy  revolvers  strapped 
to  him,  and  they  went  swaggering  around  boasting 
of  their  prowess  and  of  the  number  of  Yankees  they 
had  killed.    One  of  them  had  his  left  arm  in  a  sling. 

It  did  not  talvC  Lawrence  long  to  learn  that  they 
were  members  of  Proctor's  gang.  Soon  there  was 
a  crowd  around  them  and  one  was  giving  his  ver- 
sion of  the  fight. 

"  Thar  must  have  been  two  thousand  of  the 
Yanks,"  he  said.     "  We'uns  had  no  chance." 

"How  did  you  come  to  get  into  such  a  trap?" 
asked  one  of  the  listeners. 

"  Come?    Led  into  it  by  a  sallow  faced  devil  who 


188  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

pretended  to  be  a  spy  of  General  Price's.  Proctor 
bit,  never  knew  him  to  be  fooled  before.  The  fel- 
low must  be  in  league  with  Satan  himself.  He  can 
take  on  as  many  forms  as  the  evil  one.  Killed  three 
men  after  he  left  Proctor.  Did  n't  look  like  the 
same  chap  but  rode  the  same  boss. 

"  Another  queer  thing,  some  of  the  boys  swear 
they  saw  Semans's  dog  in  Richmond  yesterday.  Se- 
mans  is  the  old  abolitionist  we  wiped  out,  and  that 
is  what  brought  on  the  fight.  Now,  how  did  that 
dog  come  in  Richmond?  Semans  lived  full  ten 
miles  from  there." 

When  Lawrence  heard  this,  he  saw  how  wise 
Morris  had  been  in  not  allowing  Bruno  to  accom- 
pany them. 

When  about  half  across  the  river  their  attention 
was  attracted  by  the  peculiar  actions  of  a  number 
of  people  who  had  been  left  standing  on  the  bank 
which  the  boat  had  left.  They  were  running  and 
pointing  to  some  object  in  the  water.  Lawrence 
looked  and  saw  that  either  a  man  or  beast  was 
struggling  in  the  river.  He  quickly  brought  his 
glass  to  bear,  and  gave  a  start  as  he  looked.  "  It 's 
Bruno,"  he  whispered  to  Morris,  who  stood  by  his 
side. 

It  was  Bruno  and  nobly  was  he  breasting  the 
current  of  the  river.  He  was  a  powerful  swimmer 
and  made  rapid  progress. 


THE  CAPTUEE  OF  LEXINGTON  189 

Morris  never  said  a  word  but  stood  with  com- 
pressed lips  watching  the  progress  of  the  dog.  The 
boat  was  now  nearing  the  bank  and  he  suddenly 
drew  his  revolver  and  shot  at  the  dog. 

There  were  some  who  cried  "  Shame !  "  but  the 
humor  took  the  crowd  and  soon  the  bullets  were 
falling  thick  and  fast  around  Bruno.  The  crowd  on 
the  bank  followed  suit  and  there  was  a  perfect 
fusillade.  The  dog  seemed  to  realize  his  danger, 
for  he  turned  and  swam  with  the  current  and  was 
soon  out  of  range. 

"  A  wise  dog  that,"  laughed  some  as  they 
sheathed  their  weapons.  The  boat  now  landed  and 
the  incident  was  forgotten  by  the  crowd  but  not 
by  Lawrence's  troops,  and  more  than  one  wished 
that  the  dog  still  lived,  even  if  his  living  brought 
them  danger. 

Hardly  had  the  troop  landed  when  they  were  sur- 
rounded by  a  crowd  of  hundreds,  most  of  them 
armed.  "Where  were  they  from?  Who  were 
they?  Where  were  they  going?"  were  the  ques- 
tions put  to  them  in  rapid  succession. 

Man-in  answered  that  they  were  from  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  State  and  were  on  their  way  to  join 
Price. 

"  Yes.  yo  'uns  will  join  Price  with  a  vengeance," 
cried  one.  "  Do  yo  'uns  know  the  whole  Yankee 
armv  is  between  heah  and  Price?" 


190  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

"  Better  stay  with  we  'uns,"  said  another.  "  Thar 
is  lots  of  Yanks  up  heah  to  kill." 

Marvin  drew  himself  proudly  up.  "  Boys,  I 
would  like  to  stay  with  you,"  he  said,  "  but  my  men 
enlisted  with  the  understanding  I  was  to  lead  them 
to  Price,  the  grandest  man,  the  greatest  general  in 
the  Confederacy,  and  there  are  not  enough  Yankees 
between  here  and  him  to  prevent  me." 

This  sentiment  took,  and  the  air  rang  with  cheers 
and  cries  of  ''  Bravo!     We  '11  go  with  you." 

This  was  more  than  Marvin  had  bargained  for, 
but  he  found  when  the  shouting  was  over,  they 
w^ere  not  so  anxious  to  go.  Yet,  no  doubt  the  troop 
could  have  picked  up  a  good  many  recruits. 

So  well  were  Marvin  and  the  troop  acquainted 
with  the  county  from  which  they  came  that  they  were 
able  to  answer  satisfactorily  every  question  put  to 
them. 

Morris  as  usual  had  circulated  among  the  crowd 
and  he  knew  that  every  minute  they  stayed  in  Lex- 
ington was  fraught  with  danger.  But  horses  had 
to  be  fed,  the  haversacks  of  the  men  filled,  and  it 
was  late  in  the  afternoon  before  they  could  get 
away. 

The  troop  was  drawn  up  ready  to  start,  a  great 
crowd  stood  around  them  to  see  them  off,  when  a 
man  shouting  and  gesticulating  furiously  was  seen. 


THE  CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON  191 

trying  to  break  through  the  ring  of  spectators  which 
surrounded  the  troop. 

"  Do  n't  I  know  him?  "  he  was  shouting.  "  I  tell 
you  he  is  a  Yank,  a  sneaking,  contemptible  Yank." 

"Oh!  shut  up,"  yelled  the  crowd.  "You're 
dnmk." 

"  Drunk,  am  I  ?  "  he  growled.  "  I  '11  show  you," 
and  striding  up  to  Alarvin  peered  into  his  face  and 
said  sneeringly,  "  Howdy,  Mark  Marvin.  How  long 
has  it  been  since  you  turned  Confed?  " 

Marvin  turned  pale.  He  knew  the  fellow  well, 
but  quickly  collecting  himself  replied,  "  I  do  n't  know 
you,  my  friend.  My  name  is  not  Marvin.  You  are 
mistaken." 

"  Do  n't  know  me,  eh  ?  "  replied  the  man  turning 
red  with  anger.  "  Well  I  know  yo  'un  was  with  Col- 
onel Cranor  up  in  Gentry.  Yo  'un  helped  bring  a 
lot  of  Yanks  from  Iowa,  and  run  me  and  lots  of 
others  out  of  the  county." 

There  was  not  a  man  in  the  troop  but  felt  that 
his  death  warrant  was  being  read  as  they  listened  to 
that  conversation. 

Lawrence  turned  his  horse  in  the  direction  he 
wished  to  go. 

"  You  dirty,  lying  scoundrel,  take  back  your 
words  or  I  will  run  you  through,"  cried  Marvin 
whipping  out  his  sword. 


192  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

This  created  a  diversion  and  some  of  the  crowd 
began  to  cheer. 

"  Boys,  follow  me!  Charge!  "  shouted  Lawrence 
as  he  drew  his  sword,  the  sword  of  Bunker  Hill, 
given  him  by  his  uncle.  Straight  through  the  crowd 
he  rode,  striking  right  and  left,  his  horses  trampling 
and  knocking  down  those  who  could  not  get  out  of 
the  way.  With  cries  of  terror  the  crowd  surged 
backwards,  crushing  down  the  weak. 

After  Lawrence  thundered  the  troop,  leaving  be- 
hind them  the  crushed  and  bleeding  forms  of  those 
they  had  ridden  over.  In  three  seconds  it  was  all 
over;  they  had  broken  through  the  ring  of  specta- 
tors, and  were  away.  So  sudden,  so  unexpected 
had  been  the  onslaught  that  not  a  shot  was  fired 
until  the  troop  had  broken  through  the  crowd,  then 
revolvers  began  to  crack,  but  the  shots  were  wild 
and  did  no  harm. 

With  cries  of  rage  the  guerillas  made  a  wild 
rush  for  their  horses,  and  soon  an  irregular  line  of 
horsemen  were  streaming  after  the  fugitives. 

The  question  with  Lawrence  was,  could  the  troop 
keep  up  its  terrific  pace  until  darkness  came  and 
covered  their  retreat?  Already  some  of  the  fore- 
most of  the  pursuers  were  pressing  them  close,  and 
they  would  have  to  be  checked  and  that  meant  a 
halt. 

But  Morris  had  already  noticed  the  danger.     He 


Straight  through  the  crowd  he  rode,  striking  right  and  left 


TEE  CAPTUEE  OF  LEXINGTON  193 

fell  in  the  rear  of  the  troop  and  allowed  the  fore- 
most of  the  pursuers  to  come  within  range,  then 
he  raised  his  carbine  and  fired,  and  his  shot  went 
true.  This  checked  the  pursuit  for  a  moment,  but 
soon  fifteen  or  twenty  mounted  on  the  fleetest  horses 
had  gathered  and  on  they  came  yelling  like  fiends. 

The  scouts  could  go  only  as  fast  as  the  slowest 
horse  could  travel,  for  Lawrence  refused  to  leave 
any  of  his  men  behind.  Leaving  Marvin  to  lead  the 
troop  he  fell  to  the  rear  and  as  he  did  so,  called 
out  the  names  of  four  of  his  men,  who  he  knew  had 
good  horses,  to  fall  out  with  him,  and  at  the  same 
time  asking  one  of  the  other  men  for  his  carbine. 

Lawrence  now  found  himself  in  the  rear  with 
Morris  and  the  four  men.  The  pursuers  were  gain- 
ing rapidly. 

"  We  must  stop  them  or  all  is  lost,"  he  exclaimed 
to  Morris. 

"  The  first  place  where  they  cannot  see  how  many 
have  halted,"  he  said. 

The  place  soon  came.  They  rode  over  the  brow 
of  a  hill  and  for  a  moment  were  out  of  sight. 
"  Halt,"  ordered  Lawrence.  "  Hart,  you  hold  the 
horses,  the  rest  come  with  me."  The  five  ran  back 
where  they  could  look  over  the  brow  of  the  hill. 
They  were  none  too  soon,  the  foremost  of  the  enemy 
was  not  ten  rods  away. 

"  Take  good  aim  and  fire,"  shouted  Lawrence. 


194  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

The  carbines  blazed  and  the  foremost  horses  went 
down.  Two  of  the  riders  lay  still.  Their  navies 
were  as  good  as  rifles  at  that  range  and  the  five 
poured  in  a  volley  of  balls. 

The  enemy  beat  a  hurried  retreat,  then  rallied 
and  began  to  return  the  fire.  Lawrence  and  his  men 
were  lying  down  and  w-ere  firing  deliberately  and 
with  effect.  The  enemy,  which  had  now  grown 
to  number  at  least  fifty,  fell  back  a  short  distance 
and  many  of  them  were  seen  to  be  dismounting. 
Lawrence  knew  what  that  meant,  a  detachment  was 
to  steal  through  the  woods  and  flank  him. 

"  One  more  volley  and  go,"  he  ordered. 

The  volley  was  given,  then  running  back  they 
sprang  on  their  horses  and  were  away. 

This  affair  so  checked  the  pursuit  that  it  gave  the 
troop  a  good  start. 

Hardly  had  Lawrence  joined  his  men  when  Marvin 
called  him  and  pointed  to  the  front  where  a  cloud 
of  dust  was  arising.  Soon  they  made  out  a  body 
of  cavalry. 

They  looked  at  each  other  with  white  faces.  If 
the  cavalry  were  enemies,  and  of  this  they  had  little 
doubt,  there  was  no  hope. 

"  All  we  can  do  is  to  sell  our  lives  as  dearly  as 
possible,"  said  Marvin.  "  To  be  taken  alive  would 
mean  an  ignominious  death." 

"  You  are  right "  replied  Lawrence  and  he  called 


TEE  CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON  195 

a  halt.  "  Men,"  he  exclaimed,  and  his  voice  rang 
out  without  a  tremor,  "  that  force  in  front  is  with- 
out doubt  the  enemy.  You  know  what  it  means  to 
be  taken  alive.  I  will  order  a  charge  and  let  each 
man  die  fighting.  We  can  die  as  soldiers,  but  never 
as  felons." 

"  Hold,"  cried  Morris.  "  Those  men  do  not  ride 
as  guerillas  do.  There  is  discipline  there.  See 
they  have  halted.     They  take  us  for  enemies." 

"  I  believe  you  are  right,  I  will  investigate,"  re- 
plied Lawrence,  tying  a  handkerchief  to  the  point 
of  his  sword  he  rode  forward.  A  fine  looking  of- 
ficer rode  out  to  meet  him.  When  they  came  face 
to  face  Lawrence  fairly  gathered  the  officer  in  his 
arms.  "  Major  Frank  V\'hite  of  the  Prairie  Scouts, 
as  I  live,"  he  shouted.  "  Major,  you  do  not  know 
how  glad  I  am  to  see  you.  You  have  saved  our 
bacon." 

"  Can  this  be  Lieutenant  Middleton,  once  of  Gen- 
eral Lyon's  staff?  asked  the  Major,  nearly  wring- 
ing Lawrence's  hand  off. 

"  The  same.  Major.  What  fortunate  circum- 
stance brings  you  here?" 

"  I  might  ask  that  of  you,"  replied  the  Major 
laughing.     "  Give  an  account  of  yourself." 

Just  then  shots  were  heard.  The  pursuers  had 
come  up,  and  were  exchanging  compliments  with 
Lawrence's  men. 


196  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

"  I  will,  Major,"  said  Lawrence,  when  you  drive 
back  those  hounds  who  have  been  chasing  us." 

Quickly  the  major  gave  the  order;  but  the  Con- 
federates had  seen  them  and  were  now  scurrying 
back  to  Lexington  as  fast  as  their  horses  could  carry 
them,  taking  with  them  the  direful  tidings  that  a 
large  force  of  Yankees  were  near  and  would  be  in 
the  city  by  morning. 

Terror  and  consternation  reigned.  ]\Iost  of  the 
State  Guards  fled  from  the  city  during  the  night. 
Many  were  in  favor  of  hanging  the  prisoners  before 
they  left,  but  the  citizens  told  them  it  meant  the 
destruction  of  the  city  if  they  did,  and  in  all  prob- 
ability the  execution  of  as  many  of  them,  as  the 
number  of  Federals  hung,  so  they  rode  away  with- 
out carrying  out  their  threat. 

There  being  no  foes  in  front.  Major  White  halted 
his  command.  "  We  have  ridden  sixty  miles  to- 
day," he  said,  "  and  my  men  must  have  rest  before 
I  attack  the  city.     Can  I  take  it  with  my  force?" 

"  How  many  men  have  you  ?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Two  hundred  and  twenty." 

"  That  with  my  men  will  make  two  hundred  and 
fifty.  Yes,  you  can  take  it.  There  are  between  fif- 
teen hundred  and  two  thousand  State  Guards  and 
guerillas  in  and  around  the  city,  but  there  is  no 
organization,  no  discipline.     They  will  not  stand." 

"  Then  you  have  been  there?  "  asked  the  major. 


TEE  CAPTURE  OF  LEXINGTON  197 

"  Yes.  Left  the  city  not  two  hours  ago.  Chased 
out.  Masqueraded  as  good  Rebels  and  they  found 
us  out." 

That  evening  Lawrence  told  the  major  all  that 
had  happened. 

"  \\' onderful,"  exclaimed  the  major.  "  Your  trip 
is  the  most  daring  thing  I  have  heard  during  the 
war.  The  wiping  out  of  Proctor's  gang  was 
glorious." 

"  Now  tell  me  of  yourself,"  said  Lawrence. 
"  Finding  you  here  with  so  few  men,  tells  me  I  am 
not  the  only  one  taking  chances." 

"  I  was  about  to  leave  Jefferson  City  with  my 
command  to  join  Fremont,"  said  the  major,  "  when 
word  came  that  the  Federal  prisoners  in  Lexington 
were  about  to  be  executed.  Among  the  prisoners 
are  Colonel  White  and  Colonel  Groves,  For  some 
reason  General  Price  refused  to  parole  them  when 
he  paroled  the  rest  of  the  officers  captured  at  Lex- 
ington. There  were  no  troops  that  could  be  spared 
to  go  to  their  relief,  excepting  my  command,  and 
small  as  my  force  is,  I  concluded  to  make  the  at- 
tempt. We  have  come  in  a  hurry,  as  I  told  you 
we  have  ridden  sixty  miles  to-day." 

"  Which  speaks  volumes  for  you,"  said  LawTence. 
"  Major,  there  should  be  an  eagle  on  your  shoulder 
strap." 

The  next  morning  Major  White  charged  into  the 


198  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

city  meeting  with  but  slight  resistance,  but  he  suc- 
ceeding in  capturing  seventy  prisoners,  sixty  stands 
of  arms  and  twenty-five  horses. 

The  Federal  prisoners,  some  twenty  of  them,  to 
their  great  joy  were  released. 

Along  in  the  afternoon  the  steamer  Sioux  City, 
came  down  the  river,  and  having  no  suspicion  that 
the  place  had  been  recaptured  by  the  Federals,  pro- 
ceeded to  tie  up  at  the  wharf,  where  it  was  imme- 
diately taken  possession  of  by  the  Yanks  much  to 
the  surprise  of  the  crew. 

The  Federal  prisoners  who  had  been  released 
were  put  on  board  together  with  a  new  crew,  and 
the  boat  sent  on  down  the  river,  and  in  time  reached 
St.  Louis  in  safety. 

Thus  was  Lexington  once  more  in  the  hands  of 
the  Federals,  but  not  for  long. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE    CHARGE   OF   THE   BODY    GUARD 

THE  disloyal  element  in  Lexington  was  not 
long  in  finding  out  the  smallness  of  the  force 
that  had  captured  the  city.  No  time  was 
lost  in  sending  this  information  to  the  State  Guards 
and  guerillas  w'ho  had  fled.  They  began  coming 
back  by  hundreds  and  Major  White  saw  he  would 
soon  be  surrounded  by  an  overwhelming  force,  so 
he  concluded  to  evacuate  the  city.  This  he  could 
do  with  good  grace,  as  the  object  of  his  coming, 
the  liberation  of  the  prisoners,  had  been  accom- 
plished. 

His  little  force  must  have  been  held  in  great 
dread  for  no  attempt  was  made  to  prevent  his  leav- 
ing, nor  was  he  followed. 

From  the  time  Bruno  swam  the  river,  nothing 
had  been  seen  of  him,  and  the  troop  began  to  think 
him  lost,  but  Harry  would  shake  his  head  and  say, 
"  He  '11  show  up  all  right." 

Hardly  had  the  troop  left  Lexington,  when,  as 
they  were  passing  through  a  piece  of  woods  Harry 
gave  a  peculiar  whistle,  and  to  the  surprise  of  all, 

199 


200  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

Bruno  came  bounding  out,  overjoyed  to  meet  his 
master  once  more. 

"  Bnmo  has  not  been  far  away  any  of  the  time," 
said  Harry,  "  but  he  had  strict  orders  not  to  come 
near  me,  until  I  gave  permission." 

"  So  you  think  the  dog  understood  your  orders  ?  " 
asked  one  of  the  men  rather  sarcasticahy. 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Harry.  "  If  not,  why  did 
he  stay  away  until  I  whistled  for  him?" 

"  But  he  followed  the  ferry  and  you  did  not 
whistle,"  persisted  the  doubter. 

"  Bruno  knew  full  well  he  would  have  to  get 
across  the  river  or  he  would  lose  track  of  us,"  an- 
swered Harry.  "  Did  he  come  to  us  after  he  got 
across?  Not  at  all.  He  waited  until  he  got  per- 
mission. I  tell  you,  Bruno  knows  more  and  obeys 
orders  better  than  some  men." 

At  this  there  was  a  laugh  for  the  doubter  was 
known  as  a  big  kicker  against  discipline. 

Not  only  Lawrence,  but  the  whole  troop,  was 
glad  the  dog  had  returned  and  before  the  day  was 
over  Bruno  had  sliown  that  the  confidence  reposed 
in  him  was  not  misplaced. 

Warrensburg,  which  lay  about  thirty  miles  south 
of  Lexington,  was  to  be  the  next  stop.  The  route 
lay  through  as  hostile  a  country  as  if  it  had  been 
South  Carolina  instead  of  Missouri. 

Lawrence's  troop  was  given  the  honor  of  the  ad- 


TEE  CHARGE  OF  THE  BODY  GUARD  201 

vance  by  IMajor  White,  and  rather  a  busy  clay  it 
proved  for  them.  Not  many  miles  from  Lexington 
they  ran  into  a  squad  of  guerillas,  and  after  an 
exciting  chase  captured  four  of  them. 

Bnmo  now  began  to  show  his  value.  He  rarely 
failed  to  give  notice  if  any  guerillas  were  skulking 
near. 

Once  he  showed  great  excitement,  and  kept  nm- 
ning  towards  a  thicket  some  distance  from  the  road. 
He  would  make  a  few  bounds  toward  the  thicket, 
then  come  back,  look  up  at  the  men  and  then  bound 
back,  as  if  to  say,  "  Danger  over  there." 

Lawrence  halted  and  said  to  Marvin,  "  Have 
half  a  dozen  men  dismount,  let  them  advance  care- 
fully and  investigate  that  thicket.  The  dog  evi- 
dently scents  trouble." 

Hardly  had  Lawrence  spoken  when  there  burst 
from  the  thicket  puffs  of  smoke,  and  then  the  re- 
port of  half  a  dozen  rifles. 

"  Do  n't  dismount.  Charge,"  shouted  Lawrence. 
By  the  time  the  thicket  was  reached  the  birds  had 
flown.  The  guerillas  had  fired  but  the  one  volley 
then  mounted  their  horses  and  dashed  away. 

"  No  use  following,"  said  Lawrence.  Then  he 
asked,  "  Did  the  curs  do  any  damage  with  that 
volley?" 

"  Look  at  your  hat,"  answered  Marvin  smiling. 
Lawrence  took  off  his  hat,  the  crown  had  been  torn 


202  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

by  a  ball.  "  A  trifle  high,"  he  remarked  as  he  placed 
it  back  on  his  head.     "  Is  that  all?  " 

"  Colton's  horse  was  wounded,"  spoke  up  one  of 
the  men. 

"  Let  him  take  one  of  the  horses  we  have  cap- 
tured," answered  Lawrence. 

About  one  o'clock  the  column  was  halted  to  rest 
the  horses  and  give  the  men  time  to  make  a  little 
coffee.  The  halt  was  made  near  a  house,  and  for 
a  wonder  the  owner  was  at  home.  He  v/as  a  surly 
fellow  about  forty  years  of  age,  and  he  showed  by 
his  manner  he  had  no  use  for  Yankees. 

There  was  a  fine  field  of  corn  growing  near  the 
house,  and  to  this  the  soldiers  helped  themselves 
liberally,  giving  their  horses  a  good  feed.  Against 
this  the  man  protested  vehemently.  Major  White 
in  reply  to  his  protest  said,  "  I  will  give  you  a 
voucher  for  the  full  value  of  the  corn  taken,  and  if 
you  can  prove  your  loyalty  you  will  have  no  trouble 
in  collecting  it." 

To  this  the  fellow  replied  with  a  fierce  oath, 
"  Keep  your  voucher.  I  want  no  Yankee  paper." 
He  went  into  the  house  and  they  saw  him  no  more. 

The  rest  over,  the  column  moved  on,  Marvin  in 
advance,  Lawrence  having  fallen  back  to  speak  to 
Major  White. 

When  they  had  gone  about  half  a  mile  there 
came  a  puff  of  smoke  from  a  clump  of  bushes  about 


THE  CHARGE  OF  THE  BODY  GUARD  203 

three  hundred  yards  away  and  Marvin's  horse  fell. 
A  ball  had  struck  it  squarely  in  the  side  close  to 
Marvin's  leg-. 

Hardly  had  the  report  of  the  shot  died  away  when 
there  came  from  the  bushes  shrieks  of  terror  min- 
gled with  the  hoarse  growling  of  some  beast. 

"  Charge  for  the  bushes,"  shouted  Marvin,  trying 
to  disengage  himself  from  his  fallen  horse. 

Harry  Semans  was  already  half  across  the  field. 
When  he  reached  the  bushes  he  found  Bruno  with 
his  teeth  buried  in  the  throat  of  a  man,  who  was 
struggling  to  free  himself  and  shrieking  for  help. 

"  Back,  Bruno,  back,"  commanded  Harry.  The 
dog  released  his  hold,  but  stood  eyeing  the  prostrate 
man. 

"  It 's  that  surly  fellow  back  where  we  halted," 
said  Lawrence,  looking  at  the  man  who  lay  groan- 
ing, the  blood  welling  from  the  fearful  gashes  in  his 
throat. 

A  hasty  examination  showed  that  although  the 
throat  was  badly  torn,  no  vital  spot  had  been  reached. 
A  few  rods  away  a  fine  horse  w'as  found  hitched. 

"  So  this  is  how  the  fellow^  thought  to  get  his 
pay  for  the  corn,"  said  LawTence.  "  Take  a  shot  at 
us,  and  flee.  Lieutenant,  it  is  fortunate  that  he  got 
your  horse  and  not  you,  and  here  is  a  better  horse 
than  yours." 

"How  about  the  bushwhacker?"  asked  Marvin. 


204  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

"  It  would  serve  him  right  if  we  left  him  here  to 
rot." 

"  No,  we  must  take  him  back  to  his  wife,"  said 
Lawrence. 

A  blanket  was  produced,  the  wounded  man  placed 
in  it,  and  carried  back  to  his  home,  Lawrence  going 
ahead  to  break  the  news  to  his  wife. 

"  Your  husband  has  been  badly  hurt,  but  I  hope 
not  fatally,"  said  Lawrence  gently.  "  My  soldiers 
are  bringing  him." 

She  gave  a  low  cry,  clasped  her  hands  to  her 
breast  and  looked  at  Lawrence  wildly. 

"  How  did  it  happen?  "  she  whispered. 

"  He  shot  at  us  and  the  dog  caught  him.  I  am 
sorry  for  your  sake,  but  he  came  near  killing  one  of 
my  officers." 

By  this  time  the  man  was  brought  in  and  laid 
on  a  bed.  The  woman  dropped  on  her  knees  by  his 
side,  "  Oh !  Tom,  Tom,"  she  sobbed.  "  I  begged 
you  not  to  go,  but  you  would." 

Two  little  children  clung  to  her  dress,  adding  their 
cries  of  terror  to  her  sobs.  Lawrence  looked  on  with 
saddened  heart,  yet  this  little  scene  was  but  a  single 
drop  in  the  great  ocean  of  tears  which  was  being 
shed  by  a  stricken  nation. 

As  Lawrence  turned  away  he  heard  a  kind  voice 
say,  "  Let  me  look  at  him,  madam,"  and  the  surgeon 
of    Major    White's    troop    was    bending    over    the 


TEE  CHARGE  OF  THE  BODY  GUARD  205 

Stricken  man.  With  skilful  fingers  he  washed  and 
dressed  the  wounds,  and  then  cheerfully  said  to  the 
wife,  "  Be  of  good  cheer.  The  wounds  are  not 
necessarily  fatal.  With  good  care  he  may  pull 
through."  Then  he  gave  her  careful  instructions 
and  left  her  bandages  and  medicine. 

She  seemed  amazed  at  the  kindness  shown  and 
sobbed  out  her  thanks.  "  I  have  been  told  all 
Yankees  were  monsters,"  she  said.  "  That  you  mur- 
dered women  and  children  and  did  even  worse,  but 
you  have  been  so  kind,  and  after  Tom  tried  to  kill 
some  of  you." 

The  troop  rode  away,  saddened  for  a  moment  by 
the  woman's  sorrow.  Bruno  became  the  pride  of 
the  troop.  Lawrence  patted  him  saying,  "  Good 
old  Bruno,  and  we  wanted  to  leave  you.  But  we 
won't  again  old  fellow  for  we  're  riding  under  our 
own  colors  now." 

Bruno  looked  up  into  Lawrence's  face  and  wagged 
his  tail  as  much  as  to  say,  "  I  know  it."  After- 
wards even  Morris  looked  upon  the  dog  with  increas- 
ing favor. 

It  was  nearly  night  w^ien  the  column  rode  into 
Warrensburg.  The  city  was  intensely  Southern  and 
was  the  home  of  the  fier\^  \\'est  and  the  gallant  Cock- 
rell.  The  one  served  his  State  in  the  Confederate 
Congress  and  the  other  as  a  general.  After  the 
war  they  were  both  in  the  United  States  Senate  for 


206  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

years,  and  served  the  whole  country  as  faithfully  as 
they  had  served  the  Confederacy. 

No  waving  flags  greeted  the  column  of  Major 
White  as  they  rode  through  the  city,  there  were  no 
joyous  shouts  of  greeting,  instead  the  streets  were 
full  of  men  who  gazed  on  them  malevolently,  and 
cursed  as  they  gazed.  From  every  house  angry 
eyes  glared  at  them,  and  fair  women  spat  at  them 
to  show  their  contempt. 

"  Truly  a  royal  welcome,"  said  Lawrence,  smiling. 

"  It  is  a  welcome  we  will  do  well  to  heed,"  re- 
plied Major  White.  "  We  must  pitch  our  camp 
where  it  can  be  easily  defended,  and  where  it  will 
not  be  easy  for  bushwhackers  to  slip  up  and  pick 
us  off." 

Such  a  place  was  found  and  the  men  were  cau- 
tioned to  be  unusually  vigilant. 

Shortly  after  dark  an  attack  was  made  on  the 
camp.  It  was  very  feeble  and  easily  repulsed  with- 
out loss.  All  through  the  night  skulking  bush- 
whackers kept  firing  into  camp,  and  the  men  got 
little  rest. 

The  next  morning  Major  White  sent  out  and 
gathered  the  principal  men  of  the  city  and  made 
them  a  speech,  short  and  to  the  point.  "  If  you  have 
enough  men  to  offer  me  honorable  battle,"  he  said, 
*'  come  on  and  we  will  try  conclusions,  and  fight  it 
out  like  soldiers;  but  I  do  not  intend  to  allow  my 


THE  CHARGE  OF  THE  BODY  GUARD  207 

men  to  be  fired  on  by  a  lot  of  skulking,  cowardly 
bushwhackers.  I  shall  stay  here  two  days,  and  if 
another  shot  is  fired  into  my  camp  1  shall  lay  the 
city  in  ashes.     That  is  all." 

It  was  enough.  Major  White  stayed  the  two 
days,  but  not  another  shot  was  fired.  It  was  a  re- 
lieved lot  of  citizens  that  saw  the  command  ride 
away. 

"  Now  for  Warsaw  and  Fremont,"  exclaimed 
Major  White,  and  the  slogan  ran  along  the  line  amid 
the  wildest  enthusiasm. 

Their  way  was  once  more  through  a  hostile  coun- 
try, but  Fremont  had  passed  over  it,  and  they  had 
little  trouble  with  guerillas.  They  found  the  in- 
habitants xtry  bitter  over  the  actions  of  General  Jim 
Lane  of  Kansas.  When  Price  moved  up  to  capture 
Lexington,  Lane  made  a  dash  in  his  rear  from  Fort 
Scott,  and  advanced  into  Missouri  as  far  as  Osceola, 
which  place  Price  had  made  a  depot  for  supplies. 
Lane  not  only  burned  the  supplies  but  the  wliole 
town,  and  on  his  retreat  back,  his  men  freely  plun- 
dered houses,  returning  to  Fort  Scott  loaded  with 
spoils. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  acts  of  Lane,  Mont- 
gomery, Jennison  and  other  Kansas  leaders  made 
the  w^ar  in  Missouri  more  bitter  than  it  would  have 
been  otherwise. 

But  Kansas  had  many  an  old  score  to  pay  off 


208  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

against  Missouri.  For  years  the  people  of  that  Ter- 
ritory had  been  plundered,  robbed,  and  in  many  cases 
murdered  by  the  border  ruffians  who  had  come  over 
from  Missouri,  and  now  that  they  had  the  oppor- 
tunity they  were  not  slow  in  repaying  the  debt.  The 
term  "  Kansas  Jayhawkers"  became  as  much  of  a 
terror  to  Missourians  as  "  Border  Ruffians  "  had 
been  to  the  residents  of  Kansas. 

The  advance  of  Fremont  had  been  slow,  and  when 
Major  White  reached  Warsaw  he  found  that  the 
army  had  advanced  but  little  beyond. 

At  Warsaw  Lawrence  found  a  number  of  scouts 
who  had  been  with  him  when  he  was  with  Lyon, 
and  every  one  of  them  was  eager  to  go  into  his 
company.  He  had  no  trouble  in  bringing  his  num- 
ber up  to  fifty,  and  these  men  were  of  the  best 
material.  Among  them  was  one  named  Dan  Sher- 
man, a  scout  whom  Lawrence  prized  very  highly, 
and  who  became  to  him  what  Dick  Darling  was  to 
Fred  Shackelford  in  the  "  The  Young  Kentuckians 
Series." 

Lawrence  continued  with  Major  White,  who  was 
given  the  advance  with  orders  to  reconnoitre 
towards  Springfield  and  ascertain  w^iether  Price  in- 
tended to  give  battle  there. 

Fremont  firmly  believed  Price  had  concentrated 
his  army  and  would  make  a  stand  at  Springfield. 
In  fact  from  the  beginning  of  the  campaign  Fremont 


THE  CHAEGE  OF  THE  BODY  GUARD  209 

had  been  haunted  with  the  fear  that  Price  might 
attack  him,  yet  during  the  whole  campaign  he  never 
got  within  fifty  miles  of  Price. 

At  Warsaw  Morris  had  gone  off  on  one  of  his 
lone  scouts.  He  returned  just  as  Major  White's 
command  was  to  start  for  Springfield.  He  reported 
that  he  had  been  near  Springfield  and  that  Price's 
amiy  was  not  there,  but  at  least  fifty  miles  beyond. 
Springfield  was  occupied  by  about  five  hundred  cav- 
alr>\  It  was  also  said  that  there  was  an  infantry 
force  of  about  one  thousand  near  by,  but  ihis  he 
could  not  verify. 

The  news  was  taken  to  Fremont,  who  ordered 
Major  White  to  move  on  the  place  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  that  he  would  reinforce  him  with  his  body 
guard,  and  if  Major  Zagonyi,  commander  of  the 
guard  thought  it  feasible  they  should  take  posses- 
sion of  the  city. 

When  the  command  was  several  miles  from  the 
city,  Major  White  halted  to  await  the  coming  of  the 
body  guard. 

Morris  signified  his  intention  of  returning  to  the 
city  and  learning  the  exact  situation.  For  fear  he 
might  meet  someone  who  knew  him,  he  assumed 
his  old  disguise. 

Dan  Shennan  looked  at  him  in  surprise,  for  he 
had  not  seen  him  in  disguise  before.  "  Look  here, 
Morris,"  he  said.     "  I  know  you  now.     You  were 


210  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

with  US  when  we  made  that  scout  to  Jefferson  City. 
I  've  laughed  a  hundred  times  over  the  way  you 
fooled  Colonel  Bell.  I  have  often  wondered  what 
became  of  you.     Let  me  go  with  you." 

Morris  shook  his  head.  "  Can't  this  time,  Dan," 
he  said.  "  There  is  no  one  I  had  rather  take  with 
me  than  you  if  I  took  any  one,  but  some  other 
time,"  and  he  rode  away. 

Sherman  looked  puzzled.  "  Captain,"  he  said  to 
Lawrence,  when  Morris  was  out  of  sight,  "  I  do  n't 
understand.  Why  did  Morris  disguise  himself  on 
that  scout  to  Jefferson  City,  and  now  only  disguises 
himself  when  in  fear  of  meeting  the  enemy."' 

"  Things  have  changed,"  replied  Lawrence. 
*'  Then  he  was  disguised  when  he  was  Union,  and 
his  natural  self  when  a  Reb;  now  he  is  his  natural 
self  when  a  Union,  and  disguised  when  a  Reb.  But, 
Dan,  seek  to  know  no  more.  Never  question  him 
as  to  his  past.  If  you  do  we  might  lose  a  valuable 
man." 

Dan  promised;  but  he  was  naturally  curious  to 
know  who  Morris  was,  and  whether  that  was  his 
right  name  or  not. 

When  Morris  left  Lawrence  it  was  with  the  full 
determination  of  entering  Springfield  and  finding  out 
the  exact  state  of  affairs.  He  knew  the  undertak- 
ing was  a  dangerous  one,  but  that  only  added  to  the 
zest  of  it. 


THE  CHARGE  OF  TEE  BODY  GUARD  211 

Instead  of  taking  the  direct  road  to  Springfield, 
Morris  made  a  circuit  around,  and  entered  the  city 
from  the  rear.  He  had  httle  trouble  in  getting  in, 
and  soon  had  the  information  he  desired. 

While  he  was  debating  the  best  way  to  return,  a 
troop  of  Confederate  cavalry  came  riding  along  and 
Morris  with  a  start  hastily  turned  away.  Riding 
with  the  troop  was  Dickey  Holbrook,  and  Morris 
knew  that  Dickey  had  seen  him  in  the  disguise  he 
wore.  He  now  knew  that  the  quicker  he  got  out 
of  Springfield  the  better.  IMoreover  the  approach 
of  a  force  of  Yankees  was  now  known,  and  frantic 
messages  were  being  sent  to  all  nearby  troops  to 
hurry  to  the  city  to  help  defend  it.  IMorris  seized 
upon  this  fact  to  get  away  without  being  suspected. 
He  volunteered  to  go  and  find  out  if  possible  the 
number  of  Yankees  threatening  the  city.  This  met 
with  approval  and  he  was  given  a  pass  by  the  com- 
manding officer.  He  galloped  away  well  pleased 
with  his  mission,  for  the  pass  would  protect  him  from 
all  interference. 

More  than  once  he  was  halted  and  his  name  and 
business  demanded,  but  the  pass  made  all  clear  sail- 
ing, and  soon  he  was  told  that  only  an  advance 
picket  post  was  in  his  front. 

"  Any  Yanks  around  ?  "  Morris  asked  of  the  ser- 
geant in  command  of  the  post,  as  he  rode  up. 

"  Do  n't  know/'  drawled  the  sergeant.     "  We'uns 


212  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

heard  thar  was  a  few  around  about  Baker's,  three  or 
four  miles  from  here." 

"  Is  it  not  your  business  to  find  out  ?  "  asked  Mor- 
ris in  a  tone  of  authority.  "  What  are  you  here 
for?" 

"  To  guard  this  heah  road,"  answered  the  ser- 
geant. "  I  was  told  to  stay  heah,  and  heah  I  stay, 
unless  the  Yanks  drive  me  away." 

"  Excuse  me.  Sergeant,"  said  Morris.  "  I  see 
you  are  not  to  leave  your  post  to  do  scout  duty. 
Well,  if  there  are  any  Yankees  in  front,  it 's  up  to 
me  to  find  out  how  many  there  are.  Say,  Ser- 
geant, if  I  come  back  in  a  hurry  see  that  your  men 
do  n't  fire  on  me." 

The  sergeant  shook  his  head  as  Morris  rode  away, 
*'  Do  n't  know  what  to  think  of  him,"  he  muttered, 
*'  but  I  reckon  it 's  all  right." 

While  talking  with  the  sergeant  Alorris  had  care- 
fully noted  the  number  of  men  at  the  post,  and  also 
the  best  way  to  take  it  by  surprise. 

Morris  had  not  ridden  more  than  three  miles  far- 
ther when  he  came  on  the  advance  guard  of  the 
Federals,  who  proved  to  be  a  part  of  Fremont's 
body  guard.  The  guard  had  come  up  under  the 
command  of  Major  Zagonyi,  and  he  had  assumed 
command  of  the  whole  force. 

The  guards  at  first  took  Morris  for  a  gpierilla, 
and  thought  they  had  taken  a  prisoner.     They  would 


THE  CHARGE  OF  THE  BODY  GUARD  213 

hardly  believe  him  when  he  said  he  was  a  scout  for 
Major  White  and  demanded  to  be  conducted  to  him. 

Morris  could  not  hide  his  admiration  for  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  body  guard.  Mounted  on  their 
splendid  horses,  their  gaudy  uniforms  showed  re- 
splendent in  the  sun.  They  were  soon  to  show  the 
world  they  could  fight,  and  were  not  merely  dress 
parade  soldiers. 

Both  Zagonyi  and  White  listened  closely  while 
Morris  made  his  report. 

"  There  are,"  he  said,  "  from  five  to  seven  hun- 
dred cavalry  in  Springfield  and  at  least  one  thou- 
sand infantry  within  supporting  distance.  But 
these  troops  are  not  seasoned  veterans,  neither  are 
they  under  good  discipline,  and  the  different  com- 
mands are  somewhat  scattered.  I  believe  with  a 
sudden  dash  the  city  could  be  captured." 

Zagonyi  had  one  hundred  and  fifty  men;  White, 
including  Lawrence's  command,  one  hundred  and 
eight}',  making  a  force  of  three  hundred  and  thirty 
to  attack  at  least  six  times  their  number,  but  Zag- 
onyi did  not  hesitate. 

After  hearing  Morris's  report  he  wrote  a  despatch 
to  Fremont  in  which  he  said,  "  There  are  1800  or 
1900  men  in  Springfield.  I  move  forward  and  do 
what  I  can." 

Brave  words,  but  the  major  made  them  good. 

Morris  now  told  of  the  advance  picket  post,  and 


214  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

that  if  the  whole  post  was  captured,  the  enemy  could 
be  completely  surprised.  A  squad  under  his  guid- 
ance undertook  to  do  this,  but  succeeded  in  captur- 
ing only  five  of  the  six,  the  one  escaping  carrying 
the  news  of  the  advance  back  to  Springfield. 

All  hope  of  surprising  the  enemy  now  being  gone, 
Major  Zagonyi  concluded  to  make  a  circuit  around 
the  city  and  attack  from  the  rear. 

Morris  again  guided  the  column,  taking  the  same 
route  he  had  taken  when  he  entered  the  city. 

When  about  two  miles  from  Springfield  they  sud- 
denly came  upon  the  enemy  drawn  up  in  line  of 
battle.  Not  a  moment  did  the  body  guard  hesitate ; 
with  a  cry  of  "  Fremont  and  the  Union  "  they  swept 
forward  as  invincible  as  an  avalanche.  Through 
the  hundreds  before  them  they  rode,  trampling  them 
down,  sabring,  shooting. 

The  infantry  fled  to  a  wood,  where  they  were  at- 
tacked and  halted  by  Major  White's  command.  The 
body  guard  accompanied  by  Lawrence's  company 
followed  the  fleeing  cavalry  into  Springfield  and 
through  the  streets,  riding  down  everything  before 
them.  The  enemy  would  rally  only  to  be  scattered 
like  chaff  before  the  wind. 

Back  and  forth  through  the  streets  they  rode  until 
all  armed  resistance  ceased.  Springfield  was  once 
more  in  the  hands  of  the  Federals,  won  against 
overwhelming   odds,   by  one   of   the   most  gallant 


TEE  CHAEGE  OF  THE  BODY  GUAED  215 

charges  made  during  the  war  —  the  one  bright  spot 
in  Fremont's  career  in  Missouri.  In  the  newspa- 
pers the  charge  was  compared  to  the  charge  of  the 
Light  Brigade  at  the  battle  of  Balaklava.  It  was 
indeed  a  wild  charge  and  the  body  guard  deserved 
all  the  praise  they  received.  No  one  now  thought 
of  the  gaudy  uniform  they  wore,  for  each  unifomi 
clothed  the  body  of  a  hero,  and  was  made  sacred, 
not  by  tinsel  and  gold,  but  by  the  blood  of  a  patriot. 
Of  the  gallant  men  who  charged  fifty  had  fallen, 
dead  and  wounded. 

The  Starr}'  flag  was  raised  over  the  court  house, 
and  seventy  Federal  prisoners  released.  Springfield, 
for  which  Lyon  had  fought  and  died,  was  once  more 
in  the  hands  of  the  Federals. 

After  the  battle,  when  Lawrence  gathered  his 
little  company  together  he  found  ten  of  them  had 
fallen,  and  among  them  was  his  gallant  lieutenant, 
Mark  ^larvin,  who   was   mortally  wounded. 

Chol^ng  back  his  grief,  Lawrence  bent  over  the 
brave  fellow.  "  Mark,  Mark."  he  whispered, 
"What  can  I  do  for  you?  Oh!  My  God!  I  did 
not  think  of  this.     I  cannot  give  you  up." 

Marvin  opened  his  eyes  and  smiled.  "  It 's  all 
right,  Captain,"  he  whispered.  Then  seeing  the 
tears  glistening  in  Lawrence's  eyes  he  gasped, 
"  Do  n't.  Captain,  do  n't.  Thousands  must  die  for 
the  old  flag,  and  why  not  I?     But  there  is  a  little 


216  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

girl  back  in  St.  Joe  to  whom  this  will  be  sad  news. 
Will  you  not  tell  her  I  fell  doing  my  duty  ?  And  — 
and  tell  her  I  died  thinking  of  her." 

Lawrence  promised,  and  afterwards  that  promise 
was  faithfully  fulfilled. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

FREMONT  IS  REMOVED 

FREMOXT  moved  fonvard  with  his  army,  oc- 
cupied Springfield,  and  made  it  his  head- 
quarters. He  fully  expected  that  Price 
would  give  him  battle  at  or  near  Springfield,  but  in 
this  he  was  disappointed.  Price  was  in  no  con- 
dition to  attack,  in  fact  the  bulk  of  his  army  was 
fifty  miles  away. 

There  are  no  records  of  Price  and  Fremont  meet- 
ing ;  yet  in  some  way  they  must  have  communicated, 
for  about  this  time  there  appeared  a  joint  proclama- 
tion signed  by  both.  By  the  terms  of  this  procla- 
mation no  person  was  to  be  arrested  for  his  political 
opinions,  and  all  such  that  had  been  arrested  were 
to  be  released.  In  return  Union  men  were  not  to 
be  molested. 

It  was  almost  the  same  old  agreement  that  Price 
had  made  w^ith  General  Harney.  Under  it  Price's 
soldiers  could  return  home  for  the  winter  and  re- 
main practically  unmolested.  As  for  the  guerrilla 
bands  which  infested  the  State,  they  owed  no  alle- 
giance to  General  Price,  and  he  had  no  more  control 

217 


218  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

over  them  than  the  man  in  the  moon.  It  left  the 
Union  men  completely  at  their  mercy. 

It  is  strange  that  Fremont  and  Price  would  enter 
into  any  such  agreement  without  consulting  their 
respective  Governments.  There  was  some  excuse 
for  Price  acting  as  he  did.  He  had  been  waging 
a  warfare  almost  independent  of  the  Confederate 
Government.  His  command  had  consisted  of  State, 
not  Confederate  troops.  Although  he  had  accom- 
plished more  than  any  other  general  of  the  South, 
he  was  mistrusted  and  disliked  by  Jefferson  Davis 
and  his  advisers. 

Time  and  again  had  Price  been  balked  in  his 
movements  by  General  Ben  McCulloch,  who  had 
Davis's  ear.  If  Price  had  been  heartily  supported 
by  McCulloch  and  Davis,  the  situation  in  Missouri 
would  have  been  dark  indeed  for  the  Union  cause. 

About  that  time  a  serious  disagreement  arose -be- 
tween McCulloch  and  Price.  Under  the  pretext 
that  Fremont  would  use  the  products  of  the  country 
to  support  his  army;  against  the  protests  of  Price, 
McCulloch  sent  his  Texas  cavalry  into  southwest 
Missouri,  and  the  country  was  lighted  up  with  burn- 
ing mills  and  stacks  of  grain  and  forage.  Thus 
McCulloch  did  what  would  have  been  denounced 
as  an  act  of  savage  vandalism  if  done  by  any  Fed- 
eral general. 

With  the  exception  of  Wilson  Creek,  so  far  Price 


FREMONT  IS  BE  MOV  ED  219 

had  fought  all  his  battles  without  the  aid  of  Mc- 
Culloch  and  with  State  troops  alone. 

General  Fremont,  on  his  part,  had  a  serious 
grievance  against  President  Lincoln  and  felt  he  had 
not  been  properly  supported  by  the  authorities  at 
Washington.  Thus  it  was  not  strange  that  Price 
and  Fremont  felt  like  running  the  war  to  suit  them- 
selves. But  these  generals  never  had  an  opportunity 
to  carry  out  their  agreement. 

Hardly  had  Fremont  established  his  headquarters 
at  Springfield  when  like  a  thunderbolt  from  a  clear 
sky,  came  an  order  from  Washington  for  him  to 
turn  over  the  command  of  the  army  to  General 
David  Hunter.  Fremont's  partisans,  and  they  were 
legion,  were  not  only  amazed,  but  terribly  wrought 
up  over  the  order. 

The  Union  men  of  ^Missouri  had  become  divided 
into  two  factions :  the  Radicals,  nicknamed  the 
Charcoals;  and  the  Conservatives.  The  feeling  be- 
tween these  two  factions  became  almost  as  bitter 
as  the  feeling  between  Union  and  Confederate. 

The  Charcoals  were  strong  supporters  of  Fre- 
mont, and  to  this  faction  belonged  most  of  the 
Union-loving  Gennans.  The  Gennans  hated  slavery 
fully  as  much  as  the  old  line  abolitionists.  Fremont 
and  Sigel  were  their  idols.  Fremont  was  also  in 
high  favor  with  the  abolitionists  of  the  entire 
North.     His  proclamation  issued  nearly  a  year  and  a 


220  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

half  before  Lincoln's  Emancipation  Proclamation, 
that  all  slaves  of  disloyal  persons  should  be  free, 
had  struck  a  popular  chord  throughout  the  entire 
North,  and  President  Lincoln  was  severely  con- 
demned for  nullifying  Fremont's  act. 

The  first  months  of  the  war  had  been  very  dis- 
astrous to  the  Union  forces,  and  for  these  disasters 
many  held  Lincoln  responsible.  There  were  mut- 
terings  over  the  way  the  war  was  being  conducted, 
and  many  went  so  far  as  to  advocate  the  overthrow 
of  the  National  Government,  and  the  appointing  of 
a  military  dictator.  In  the  East  these  malcontents 
looked  to  General  George  B.  McClellan  as  the 
Cromwell  to  guide  the  nation  in  its  extremity,  while 
in  the  West  Fremont  was  looked  upon  as  the  com- 
ing saviour  of  the  nation. 

Now  that  the  name  of  Lincoln  is  honored  and 
revered  throughout  the  world,  one  can  hardly  im- 
agine the  fault  found  with  him  and  the  abuse  heaped 
upon  him  during  the  first  years  of  the  war. 

As  to  the  removal  of  Fremont,  the  student  of  his- 
tory, can  now  see  that  it  was  a  military  necessity. 
Not  only  was  his  military  record  a  failure,  but  his 
administration  was  one  of  reckless  extravagance. 
Many  of  his  subordinates  were  what  we  now  call 
grafters. 

To  illustrate:  Fremont  at  the  commencement  of 
the  war  was  sent  to  Europe  to  buy  arms.     He  pur- 


FREMONT  IS  BEMOVED  221 

chased  a  large  consignment  of  guns,  known  as  the 
Belgian  rifle.  These  guns  proved  almost  absolutely- 
useless,  but  the  Government  was  charged  a  big  round 
price  for  them. 

One  of  Fremont's  agents,  a  ]\Ir.  Selover,  who 
helped  make  the  purchase,  boasted  that  he  cleared 
thirty  thousand  dollars  in  the  transaction.  But  Mr. 
Selover  was  not  the  only  one  who  made  money  out 
of  the  extremity  of  the  country.  Graft  is  no  new 
thing. 

When  the  orders  for  the  removal  of  Fremont 
came,  many  of  his  hot-headed  admirers  urged  him 
to  defy  the  Government,  declare  himself  the  Com- 
mander of  the  Department  of  the  West,  and  rtm 
things  to  suit  himself.  To  the  honor  of  Fremont  he 
refused,  and  issuing  a  touching  and  patriotic  farewell 
to  the  army,  departed  for  St.  Louis  with  his  now 
famous  body  guard  as  an  escort.  Here  the  body 
guard,  by  the  order  of  General  McClellan,  was  mus- 
tered out  of  service.  Thus  this  gallant  body  of 
men  who  canned  their  names  among  the  nation's 
heroes  by  that  memorable  charge  at  Springfield,  was 
lost  to  the  Government,  and  we  hear  of  them  no 
more. 

With  the  appointment  of  General  Hunter  to  the 
command  of  the  army  there  came  to  him  a  personal 
letter  from  President  Lincoln  on  the  situation  in 
Missouri,  and  while  the  letter  left  much  to  the  dis- 


222  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDOE 

cretion  of  Hunter,  in  it  Lincoln  strongly  advised 
him  to  relinquish  Springfield,  and  the  whole  of 
southwest  Missouri,  and  to  fall  back,  foiTning  a  line 
south  of  the  Missouri  River. 

It  is  plain  from  reading  this  letter  that  the  Presi- 
dent had  no  conception  of  the  real  situation  in  Mis- 
souri. He  seemed  to  take  for  granted  that  Price's 
army  had  disintegrated,  and  that  the  Union  men  and 
guerillas  would  soon  get  tired  of  killing  each  other 
and  quit  of  their  own  accord. 

It  was  grievous  advice,  a  gigantic  mistake  on  the 
part  of  Lincoln,  advice  that  General  Lyon  would 
never  have  taken,  for  he  would  have  shown  the  Pres- 
ident the  lamentable  results  that  would  follow. 
But  the  advice  was  so  strong  it  almost  took  the  form 
of  an  order,  and  General  Hunter  proceeded  to  carry 
it  out  to  the  letter. 

Orders  were  given  for  Springfield  to  be  evacuated, 
and  without  striking  a  blow  at  Price,  leaving  Lex- 
ington unavenged,  the  army  that  had  advanced  with 
such  high  hopes,  commenced  their  weary  march 
back  to  the  Missouri  River.  There  was  nothing  to 
make  them  go,  no  enemy  in  sight ;  they  were  fleeing 
when  there  were  none  to  pursue. 

Twice  had  the  army  marched  over  that  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles  of  rough  roads ;  twice  had 
Springfield  been  taken,  now  to  be  given  up.  Was 
it  any  wonder  that  the  soldiers  turned  their  faces 


FBEMONT  IS  EEMOVED  223 

northward  with  despairing  hearts?  Was  it  any 
wonder  there  were  curses  both  loud  and  deep? 

Well  was  it  that  the  great  mass  of  soldiers  did 
not  know  that  the  retreat  was  by  direct  advice  of 
Lincoln.  Well  was  it  that  Fremont  had  gone,  for 
had  he  been  present  and  it  became  known  he  was 
against  the  retrograde  movement,  the  soldiers  would 
have  compelled  him  to  resume  command. 

To  the  Union  men  of  Southwest  JNIissouri  this 
backward  step  came  as  a  cruel  blow.  It  was  not 
only  disheartening,  but  appalling,  ^^^hen  the  army 
advanced,  hundreds  who  had  fled  for  their  lives 
had  returned  to  their  homes.  Now  they  were  again 
to  be  deserted  and  left  a  prey  to  the  blood-thirsty 
guerillas.  After  having  suffered  much,  they  were 
to  suffer  more. 

Not  only  this,  but  the  movement  opened  a  way 
for  Price  clear  to  the  Missouri  River.  The  road  to 
Lexington  was  again  clear,  and  the  vast  supplies  of 
North  Missouri  were  again  in  his  reach.  The  gue- 
rilla bands  once  more  took  courage  and  sprang  up 
all  over  the  State,  like  mushrooms  in  the  night. 
Little  did  Lincoln  think  when  he  gave  that  advice, 
the  direful  consequences  that  would  follow,  and  in 
all  probability  he  never  did  fully  know,  for  more 
tremendous  problems  were  pressing  upon  him.* 

*John  McElroy  in  his  book,  "  The  Struggle  for  Missouri," 
tries  to  excuse  Lincoln  by  saying  that  in  all  probability  the 


224  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

No  one  was  more  surprised  at  the  retreat  of  the 
Federal  army  than  General  Price.  At  first  he  could 
hardly  believe  it,  thinking  it  a  ruse  to  draw  him  out 
in  battle.  When  once  assured  it  was  a  fact,  he 
made  preparations  to  advance,  and  sent  word  to 
McCulloch  to  join  him.  Again  McCuUoch  failed 
him.  Nothing  daunted,  Price  again  started  north 
with  his  faithful  Missourians.  He  advanced  with 
his  main  army  as  far  as  Osceola,  and  sent  the  bri- 
gades of  Rains  and  Steen  as  far  north  as  Lexington 
to  hold  the  river,  and  make  a  safe  passage  for  re- 
cruits and  supplies  from  the  northern  part  of  the 
State. 

To  encourage  recruiting  he  issued  a  grandiloquent 
proclamation  to  the  people  of  Northern  and  Central 
Missouri,  calling  for  fifty  thousand  recruits.  Now 
that  the  fierce  excitement  and  passions  of  those  days 
are  no  more,  one  can  hardly  read  the  proclamation 
without  a  smile.  It  sounds  more  like  the  effusion 
of  some  sophomore  than  like  a  staid  old  general. 

"  I  must  have  fifty  thousand  men,"  was  the  bur- 
den of  his  cry.     He  implored  them  to  leave  all  and 

letter  was  dictated  by  McClellan,  yet  praises  Lincoln  for  the 
generalship  it  displayed.  The  generalship  would  have  been 
all  right  if  conditions  had  been  as  Lincoln  supposed.  If 
McClellan  dictated  the  letter  why  not  give  him  credit  for  the 
generalship?  When  the  great  charge  at  Gettysburg  failed, 
and  some  were  trying  to  lay  the  blame  on  Longstreet,  General 
Lee  in  the  nobleness  of  his  heart  said,  "  I  alone  am  to  blame." 
Such  would  have  been  the  answer  of  the  great  Lincoln  if 
asked,  as  to  the  results  of  that  letter. 


FEE  MO  NT  IS  REMOVED  225 

to  come.  What  if  they  did  lose  their  property? 
The  Union  men  of  ^Missouri  owned  $200,000,000 
\\  orth  of  property,  antl  if  needed  every  dollar  of  it 
would  be  taken  to  reimburse  them  when  Missouri 
was  free. 

Thus  did  General  Price  promise  universal  con- 
fiscation of  all  property  of  Union  men  in  the  State. 
Happily  for  his  friends  the  Federal  Government  did 
not  enforce  the  same  doctrines. 

After  this  munificent  promise  the  General  cried: 
"  In  the  name  of  God  and  the  attributes  of  man- 
hood let  me  appeal  to  you  by  considerations  infi- 
nitely higher  than  money!  Are  we  a  generation  of 
drooling,  snivelling,  degraded  slaves?" 

The  proclamation  closed  with :  "  Do  I  hear  your 
shouts?  Is  that  your  war  cry  which  echoes  through 
the  land?  Are  you  coming?  Fifty  thousand  men ! 
IMissouri  shall  move  to  victory  with  the  tread  of  a 
giant!  Come  on,  my  brave  boys,  50,000  heroic, 
gallant,  unconquerable,  Southern  men!  We  await 
your  coming!  " 

But  General  Price  waited  in  vain  to  hear  the 
shouts  of  the  fifty  thousand.  They  did  not  come. 
But  the  promise  of  confiscation  did  encourage  the 
guerilla  bands  to  renewed  activity,  and  make  them 
more  free,  if  that  v.-ere  possible,  with  Union  men's 
property.  In  some  places  these  guerillas  gathered 
in  such  numbers  as  to  become  formidable  annies. 


226  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

From  all  over  the  State  there  went  up  a  wail  of 
despair  and  anger  from  the  Union  men.  In  the 
army  there  was  discontent  and  discouragement. 
Especially  were  the  friends  of  Fremont  active  in  de- 
nouncing the  Government  and  General  Hunter, 
claiming  Hunter  had  intrigued  in  getting  Fremont's 
place.  They  claimed  that  if  Fremont  had  been  kept 
in  command  there  would  have  been  no  backward 
movement,  that  Fremont  had  been  removed  when 
he  was  about  to  give  battle,  and  thus  had  not  been 
given  a  fair  chance. 

So  desperate  became  the  situation,  and  so  great 
the  dissatisfaction  that  the  authorities  at  Washing- 
ton began  to  wake  up  and  realize  that  a  great 
mistake  had  been  made,  and  General  Hunter  was  re- 
moved after  he  had  been  in  command  hardly  more 
than  two  weeks.  Thus  he  had  to  suffer  for  follow- 
ing the  advice  of  the  President.  But  as  some  com- 
pensation, a  new  department  was  created  called, 
"  The  Department  of  Kansas  "  and  he  was  placed 
in  command. 

To  the  disappointment  of  Sigel's  friends  he  was 
not  given  the  place  vacated  by  Hunter,  but  there 
came  to  St.  Louis  General  Henry  W.  Halleck  as 
commander  of  the  entire  Western  Department,  and 
with  him  there  came  a  change,  for  a  new  regime 
began. 


CHAPTER  XV 

HOPOEITHLEYOHOLA 

THIS  is  the  story  of  Hopoeithleyohola,  the 
brave  Cherokee  chief  —  a  story  of  how  the 
war  bhghted  the  Indian  Territory.  It  is  a 
part  of  the  great  war  which  is  but  Httle  known,  and 
of  which  history  has  little  to  say,  yet  it  is  one  of 
the  saddest  episodes  of  that  great  struggle. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  war  it  was  estimated 
that  the  Indian  Territory  contained  about  one  hun- 
dred thousand  inhabitants.  These  Indians  consisted 
chiefly  of  the  tribes  which  had  been  forced  to  move 
out  of  the  Southern  States,  notably  the  Cherokees, 
Choctaws,  Creeks  and  Chickasaws.  These  tribes 
had  made  remarkable  progress  in  civilization,  and 
were  known  as  the  civilized  tribes.  They  had 
churches,  school  houses,  tilled  large  farms,  and  had 
immense  herds  of  cattle,  horses,  sheep  and  swine. 
They  were  prosperous,  contented,  happy  and  at 
peace  among  themselves.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that 
at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  these  Indians 
owned  nearly  ten  thousand  negro  slaves. 

When  the  war  began,  these  Indians  petitioned  to 
'227 


228  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

be  left  in  peace.  "  We  have  done  nothing  to  bring 
on  the  war,"  they  truthfully  said.  "  We  are  friends 
to  both  sides.     All  we  wish  is  to  remain  in  peace." 

It  is  an  everlasting  disgrace  that  this  prayer  was 
not  granted.  They  were  wards  of  the  nation,  not 
citizens.  But  the  Confederate  Government  viewed 
the  Territory  as  a  part  of  its  domain,  and  treated  it 
as  such.  Hundreds  of  these  Indians  were  half- 
breeds,  and  the  Confederacy  thought  they  would 
make  good  soldiers. 

The  Indian  agents  who  had  all  been  appointed  by 
Pierce  or  Buchanan,  were  intensely  Southern. 
These  agents  were  commissioned  colonels,  and  di- 
rected to  raise  regiments  among  the  Indians  for  the 
Confederate  service. 

At  the  head  of  these  agents  was  Superintendent 
Albert  Pike,  a  New  England  Yankee,  but  who 
rivalled  the  most  rabid  fire-eater  in  his  hatred  of  the 
Union.  Pike  was  made  a  Brigadier  General  and  was 
to  command  the  whole  force  of  Indians  when  raised. 
It  is  claimed  by  some  that  Pike  was  a  born  poet.  Be 
this  as  it  may,  his  career  showed  he  was  no  soldier. 
It  is  certain  that  the  Confederacy  reaped  little  re- 
ward for  all  the  misery  it  brought  upon  its  Indian 
adherents. 

The  agents,  as  new-made  colonels,  commenced 
enlisting  the  Indians,  but  Hopoeithleyohola,  an  aged 
Cherokee  chief  rebelled.    "  Why,"  he  asked,  "  should 


EOPOEITHLETOHOLA  229 

I  and  my  people  fight  against  the  Great  Father  at 
Washington?  " 

Hopoeithleyohola.  at  this  time  was  nearly  a  hun- 
dred years  old.  If  all  the  details  of  his  long  life 
could  be  written  they  would  be  more  interesting 
than  any  dime  novel  of  Indian  life.  He  was  a  boy 
at  the  time  of  tlie  Revolutionary  War.  When  a 
young  man  he  fought  for  the  Spaniards  against  the 
English  in  Florida.  During  the  War  of  1812-1815 
of  the  United  States  against  England,  he  fought 
valiantly  for  the  English,  for  he  felt  he  was  fight- 
ing for  the  preservation  of  the  land  of  his  fore- 
fathers. He  was  one  of  the  bravest  of  the 
chieftains  that  opposed  General  Jackson  in  his 
campaign  against  the  Southern  Indians  in  1813- 
1814  and  fought  until  all  hope  was  gone. 

When  the  inevitable  came,  and  the  Southern 
tribes  were  compelled  to  give  up  their  hunting 
grounds  and  be  transported  across  the  Mississippi 
to  the  wilds  of  the  Indian  Territory,  with  a  heavy 
heart  he  took  his  last  look  at  the  hunting  grounds 
of  his  ancestors  and  went  with  his  people  to  their  far 
western  home. 

Here  he  taught  his  tribe  the  arts  of  peace,  and 
they  were  among  the  moet  contented,  happy  and 
prosperous  of  the  Indians  of  the  Territory. 

"  Why  should  I  in  my  old  age,"  he  asked,  "  dig 
up  the  tomahawk  and  make  war  against  the  Great 


230  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

Father?  The  war  is  none  of  my  making.  Let  me 
remain  in  peace,  and  the  white  men  fight  it  out 
among  themselves,  but  if  I  have  to  fight  it  will  be 
for  the  Great  Father." 

War  was  at  once  declared  against  Hopoeithle- 
yohola.  The  grim,  old  chieftain  accepted  the  issue, 
and  gathered  his  faithful  followers  for  the  unequal 
contest. 

Not  only  were  there  let  loose  on  him,  the  hundreds 
of  Indians  and  half-breeds  which  had  been  enlisted 
for  the  Confederate  service,  but  between  one  and 
two  thousand  of  Texas  and  Arkansas  troops  as 
well. 

In  the  first  encounter  Hopoeithleyohola  was  suc- 
cessful in  driving  the  invaders  back.  Before  they 
could  gather  in  stronger  force  and  renew  the  conflict 
there  came  Fremont's  advance  and  capture  of 
Springfield. 

The  Confederates  became  alarmed,  and  withdrew 
their  troops  from  the  Indian  Territory  to  help  re- 
sist Fremont. 

Now  comes  the  saddest  sequel  to  that  unfortunate 
advice  given  to  General  Hunter  by  President  Lin- 
coln. When  it  became  known  that  the  Federal  army 
had  fallen  back,  and  that  Price  was  no  longer  in 
danger  of  being  attacked,  the  Confederates  once 
more  renewed  their  efforts  to  crush  the  loyal  In- 
dians.    An  overwhelming  force  was  hurled  against 


EOPOEITnLETOnOLA  231 

them.     After  an  obstinate  battle  Hopoeithleyohola 
was  defeated,  and  his  forces  hopelessly  crushed. 

Hopoeithleyohola  with  the  remnant  of  his  follow- 
ers fled  to  Kansas.  The  way  was  long,  the  country 
barren,  the  weather  bitterly  cold  and  on  their  heels 
followed  the  remorseless  and  merciless  pursuers. 
Before  Kansas  was  reached  the  bones  of  a  thousand 
men,  women,  and  children  lay  whitening  on  the 
bleak  plains. 

Hopoeithleyohola  reached  Fort  Scott  in  safety, 
but  with  his  heart  broken  and  bowed  beneath  his 
weight  of  years.  In  a  few  days  he  passed  away  and 
joined  his  followers  who  had  gone  before,  to  the 
happy  hunting  grounds  of  the  future. 

The  Federal  Government  did  this  much  for  him. 
It  gave  him  a  military  funeral  worthy  of  his  rank. 

The  death  of  Hopoeithleyohola  and  the  defeat  of 
his  followers  did  not  end  the  sufferings  of  the  In- 
dians in  the  Territory.  For  four  years  they  suffered 
all  the  horrors  of  war,  and  when  it  was  over  the 
country  was  a  waste.  Schools,  churches  and  houses 
were  gone ;  their  fields  were  devastated ;  their  flocks 
and  herds  had  been  driven  away ;  their  horses  and 
cattle  had  either  been  stolen  or  taken  to  supply  the 
Confederate  armies. 

So  abject  was  the  poverty  of  the  Indians  at  the' 
close  of  the  war  that  they  had  to  be  fed  by  the  Gov- 
ernment  to  keep  them  from  starving.     It  is  esti- 


232  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

mated  that  of  the  one  hundred  thousand  Indians 
who  inhabited  the  Territory  at  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  at  least  twenty-five  thousand  perished  either 
in  battle  or  from  exposure  and  starvation  before  the 
conflict  was  over. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

A  FAITHLESS  KNIGIIT-ERRANT 

THE  retreat  of  the  Federal  army  from  Spring- 
field was  a  bitter  disappointment  for  Law- 
rence and  his  scouts.  As  for  Charles  Morris, 
he  was  wild  with  rage.  "  I  've  a  mind  to  throw  up 
the  whole  thing,"  he  growled.  "  Fremont  was  bad, 
but  Hunter  is  worse." 

"  Do  n't  blame  Hunter  too  much,"  said  Lawrence. 
"  I  am  told  he  acted  on  the  advice  of  the  President." 

"  Advice !  Advice  of  the  President !  "  sneered 
Morris.  "  What  does  Abe  Lincoln  know  of  the  sit- 
uation here  in  Missouri?  He  a  thousand  miles 
away." 

"  It  was  mighty  poor  advice,  I  admit,"  sighed 
Lawrence.  "  The  consequences  have  been  de- 
plorable." 

"  Do  you  think  that  Lyon  would  have  followed 
that  advice?"  asked  Morris.  "  No,  he  would  have 
told  the  President  his  advice  was  no  good  and  gone 
on  and  w^iipped  Price  out  of  his  boots.  Just  look 
at  the  army  now,  discouraged,  worn  out  with  march- 
ing, almost  ready  to  mutiny.      Why,   if  Fremont 

233 


234  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

would  but  raise  his  standard,  nine  out  of  ten  soldiers 
would  rally  around  it  in  defiance  of  Hunter  and  the 
President.  I  tell  you  things  have  to  change  and  that 
mighty  quick,  or  Price  will  have  the  State." 

But  something  now  happened  that  made  them  for- 
get the  situation  in  Missouri.  "  Have  you  seen 
this?  "  shouted  Dan  Sherman,  coming  up  and  shak- 
ing a  St.  Louis  paper  before  their  eyes.  "  It  's 
outrageous !  " 

"  What  is  it?  "  asked  Lawrence  surprised. 

"  Read  it,"  said  SheiTnan  pointing  to  an  article 
in  the  paper. 

It  was  the  report  of  Major  Zagonyi  of  the  cele- 
brated charge  of  the  body  guard  on  Springfield,  and 
to  Lawrence's  astonishment,  it  was  stated  that  his 
troop  had  taken  no  part  in  the  charge,  in  fact  had 
deserted  the  body  guard,  and  left  them  to  make  the 
charge  alone. 

His  face  grew  stern  as  he  read.  "  For  myself," 
he  said,  "  I  care  little,  but  for  the  sake  of  the  brave 
Marvin  and  others  of  the  troop  who  gave  their  lives, 
justice  must  be  done,  and  I  shall  go  to  St.  Louis  and 
see  that  it  is." 

As  soon  as  he  could  make  preparations  to  go, 
Lawrence  left  for  St.  Louis,  leaving  the  troop  in 
command  of  Dan  Sherman,  knowing  that  all  would 
be  well. 

At  St.  Louis  Lawrence  found  all  excitement.    The 


A  FAITHLESS  KNIGHT-ERBANT  235 

Federals  were  quarrelling  fiercely  among  themselves. 
The  Germans  were  angry  because  Hunter  instead  of 
Sigel  had  been  given  command  of  the  army.  The 
partisans  of  Fremont  were  raging  because  of  his  re- 
moval, claiming  he  was  about  to  do  great  things. 

The  secessionists  were  correspondingly  jubilant. 
Price  was  again  sweeping  north  with  his  army,  and 
they  believed  the  liberation  of  the  State  from  the 
hated  Yankees  was  at  hand. 

Lawrence  found  that  the  body  guard  with  Zag- 
onyi  had  been  mustered  out  of  service,  but  he  found 
the  major,  who  acknowledged  his  error  in  his  report, 
but  did  not  seem  inclined  to  make  amends.  Law- 
rence asked  for  a  Court  of  Inquiry.  It  was  granted, 
and  the  court  found  that  his  objections  to  the  report 
of  Zagonyi  were  well  taken,  but  for  some  reason  the 
report  was  never  made  public,  and  in  the  rush  of 
events  that  happened  afterwards,  the  incident  was 
forgotten. 

Lawrence  found  that  his  uncle  like  the  other  seces- 
sionists of  St.  Louis  was  highly  elated  over  the  turn 
affairs  had  taken.  Although  he  was  warmly  wel- 
comed he  could  see  his  uniform  was  a  thing  to  be 
hated  and  despised. 

"  I  tell  you,  Lawrence,"  said  his  uncle,  "  the 
South  is  bound  to  win.  The  North  has  been  beaten 
both  here  and  in  the  East.  There  is  not  a  ghost  of 
a  show  for  you.     Better  resign  and  get  out  of  the 


236  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

army  while  you  can  with  some  credit.  We  will  try 
and  forget  your  going  wrong  and  look  to  you,  in  the 
years  to  come,  to  be  a  good  and  loyal  citizen  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy." 

Lawrence  smiled.  "  I  admit,  uncle,"  he  said, 
"  that  we  have  made  a  mighty  poor  showing  so  far, 
but  the  war  has  hardly  begun.  We  were  all  mis- 
taken, both  North  and  South,  in  thinking  that  the 
M-ar  would  be  a  short  one.  It  will  be  both  long  and 
bloody ;  but  in  the  end  the  old  flag  will  be  triumphant 
and  the  Union  restored." 

"  Bosh !  "  said  his  uncle  as  he  turned  away  dis- 
gusted. 

Lawrence  could  not  leave  St.  Louis  without  call- 
ing on  his  little  friend  Lola  Laselle.  She  was  de- 
lighted to  see  him  and  gave  him  a  warm  greeting. 
"  I  have  heard  of  that  charge  at  Springfield,"  she 
exclaimed,  "  and  was  n't  it  grand,  grand !  Lawrence, 
I  am  proud  of  you." 

Lawrence  looked  at  her  with  admiration.  She 
was  now  fourteen  and  rapidly  budding  into  woman- 
hood. Her  dark  eyes  and  hair  showed  her  French 
extraction.  Her  complexion  was  clear  and  she  had 
a  bright,  intelligent  face,  a  face  one  loved  to  look  at, 
for  it  showed  a  sunny  disposition  and  a  kind  heart. 

"  I  declare,  Lola,  you  are  getting  to  be  almost  a 
woman,"  exclaimed  Lawrence,  "  and  you  're  grow- 
ing lovelier  every  day.     Soon  you  will  be  a  young 


A  FAITHLESS  KNIGHT-EEEAM  237 

lady  and  have  hosts  of  admirers  and  poor  I  will  be 
forgotten !  " 

"  Flatterer,  you  do  n't  believe  a  word  you  say," 
laughed  Lola.  "  But  I  shall  never  forget  you,  Law- 
rence. You  are  my  knight-errant  you  know,  de- 
fending the  flag  that  I  love." 

"And  a  true  knight  may  I  be!  But,  Lola,  tell 
me  the  news.     How^  is  your  brother  Leon?  " 

"  Leon's  regiment  is  with  Grant  at  Cairo  now. 
He  writes  me  he  has  been  promoted  to  sergeant,  and 
that  before  he  comes  home  he  expects  to  have  a 
commission." 

"  He  will  win  one  before  the  war  is  over,  never 
fear.     But,  how  are  times  here?" 

"  Bad  as  they  can  be.  The  Unionists  and  Seces- 
sionists are  getting  to  hate  each  other  w'orse  every 
day,  and  the  women  are  worse  than  the  men.  It  is 
awful  the  way  the  girls  insult  the  soldiers.  I  do  n't 
see  how^  they  stand  it." 

"And  Miss  Dorothy  Hamihon?" 

Lola's  brow  clouded.  "  I  do  n't  see  why  you 
should  ask  about  her,"  she  pouted.  "  She  is  the 
worst  of  the  lot.  I  heard  that  she  said  she  wanted 
to  live  to  see  both  you  and  Guilford  Craig  hanged." 

"  Blood-thirsty  Dorothy,  I  would  like  to  oblige 
her,  but  I  do  n't  see  how^  I  can,"  laughed  Lawrence. 
"  The  last  time  I  saw  her  I  passed  her  on  the  side- 
w^alk,  and  she  tilted  her  nose  so  high  I  thought  it 


238  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

would  never  come  down.  How  does  she  pass  you 
now  ?  " 

Lola  tossed  her  head.  "  Oh!  it 's  tit  for  tat,"  she 
exclaimed.  "  I  tilt  my  nose  just  as  high  as  she  tilts 
hers  when  I  pass  her." 

"  Poor  noses,"  said  Lawrence.  "  I  am  afraid 
they  will  get  out  of  shape,  and  such  pretty  noses 
too." 

"  Keep  your  compliments  for  Dorothy's  nose. 
You  know  mine  turns  up  a  little,"  said  Lola  a  little 
sharply. 

"  Now,  Lola,  do  n't  slander  your  nose,  it 's  a  pretty 
one  and  my  only  fear  is  that  some  day  it  may  turn 
up  at  me." 

"  It  never  will,"  said  Lola  solemnly,  and  as  she 
said  it  there  came  a  look  in  her  eyes  that  set  Law- 
rence's heart  throbbing,  and  at  that  moment  he 
thought  her  the  only  girl  in  the  world  worth  look- 
ing at. 

"  I  do  n't  see  how  Dorothy  can  be  so  wicked," 
Lola  continued.  "  I  do  n't  wish  any  one  hung,  not 
even  Benton  Shelley,  and  he  tried  to  kill  you." 

"That  was  in  battle  Lola,  and  I  bear  him  no  ill 
will  for  that,  but  I  do  for  some  other  things  he  has 
done.  For  instance  he  seems  to  take  pleasure  in 
trying  to  get  Guilford  hung." 

"  Poor  Guilford,"  sighed  Lola.  "  My !  Did  n't 
that  create  an  excitement  among  the  Secessionists 


A  FAITHLESS  KNIGHT-ERBANT  239 

when  they  found  he  had  been  playing  them  false. 
Poor  Mr.  Craig.  They  say  he  looks  ten  years  older. 
You  know  he  disinherited  Guilford,  and  will  not  al- 
low his  name  to  be  mentioned.  I  wonder  what  has 
become  of  him." 

Lawrence  did  not  answer. 

"  I  believe  you  know  all  about  Guilford,"  cried 
the  girl.  "  Please  tell  me.  Evei*yone  is  wondering 
what  has  become  of  him." 

"  I  can  tell  you  this,"  answered  Lawrence. 
"When  Guilford  left  it  was  with  the  intention  of 
never  returning,  and  he  so  wrote  his  father.  He  told 
me  that  from  the  day  he  left  Guilford  Craig  was 
dead,  that  he  would  change  his  name,  and  become 
lost  to  everyone  who  knew  him.  It  seems  that  he 
has  carried  out  his  intentions.  But,  Lob,  let 's 
talk  of  other  things,  it  makes  me  sad  to  think  of  how 
this  war  is  dividing  father  from  son,  brother  from 
brother." 

Then  they  talked  of  other  things,  but  it  was  not 
the  merry  talk  of  youth,  for  the  black  cloud  of  war 
hung  over  the  land  and  on  every  heart,  young  and 
old,  there  rested  a  burden  of  fear. 

When  Lawrence  bade  the  girl  farewell,  he  took 
with  him  a  promise  that  she  would  write  to  him. 
"  Your  letters  will  cheer  me,  and  be  a  ray  of  sun- 
shine however  dark  the  clouds  may  lower,"  he  said. 

Lola  watched  his  retreating  form  until  it  disap- 


240  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

peared,  then  she  gave  a  deep  sigh  and  entered  the 
house. 

Fate  seemed  to  decide  that  Lawrence  all  too  soon 
was  to  forget  that  he  was  the  chosen  knight  of  Lola, 
and  another  was  to  come  between. 

A  cold  rain  was  falling  which  froze  as  it  fell,  and 
made  the  street  very  slippery.  Just  as  Lawrence 
was  to  cross  a  street,  a  run-away  horse  came  dashing 
around  the  corner.  A  girl  was  crossing  the  street, 
seeing  the  horse  she  turned,  but  her  foot  slipped  and 
she  fell  directly  in  the  path  of  the  run-away. 

A  cry  of  horror  arose  from  those  who  saw,  but 
Lawrence  sprang  forward  and  snatched  the  girl,  al- 
most from  beneath  the  hoofs  of  the  horse.  The  girl 
was  not  only  terribly  frightened,  but  stunned  by  the 
fall,  and  as  Lawrence  raised  her  he  saw  she  was 
Dorothy  Hamilton. 

Calling  a  cab  he  placed  Dorothy  in  it,  and  bade 
the  cabman  drive  with  all  speed  to  her  fathers 
house.  For  a  few  moments  Dorothy  lay  in  Law- 
rence's anns  as  one  dead.  Her  eyes  were  closed, 
her  golden  hair  lay  in  masses  around  her  face  and 
shoulders,  and  as  Lawrence  looked,  he  thought  he 
had  never  seen  so  fair  a  vision. 

"My  God!"  he  groaned.  "What  if  she  be 
dead!  "  For  the  moment  all  thoughts  of  Lola  were 
driven  from  his  mind.  Lola,  the  true  hearted  Lola 
who  loved  the  flag  for  which  he  fought,  was  for- 


♦'You  saved  me,"  she  repeated,  "and  in  chat  uniform  " 


A  FAITHLESS  KNIGHT-ERBANT  241 

gotten,  and  he  only  thought  of  the  fair  being  who 
lay  in  his  arms,  the  girl  who  despised  him  and 
loathed  the  uniform  he  wore. 

But  Dorothy  was  not  dead.  She  sighed  and  then 
opened  her  eyes.  "  Where  am  I  ? "  she  asked 
faintly. 

"  Here  all  safe,"  answered  Lawrence.  "  You  had 
a  fall  and  I  am  taking  you  home." 

Dorothy  shivered.  "  I  remember,"  she  gasped. 
"  That  terrible  horse.    It  was  right  on  me." 

"  You  slipped  and  fell,"  said  Lawrence,  "  but  I 
was  near  enough  to  snatch  you  away  before  the 
horse's  hoofs  struck  you.  I  'm  afraid  I  tore  your 
dress  sadly  in  so  doing." 

Dorothy  glanced  down  at  her  ruined  garment. 
"  It  does  not  matter,"  she  said.  Then  she  sat  up 
and  stared  at  Lawrence  with  wide  open  eyes.  "  Law- 
rence Middleton,  it 's  you  —  you  who  saved  me," 
she  cried. 

"  Yes,  Dorothy,  and  I  thank  God  I  was  near 
enough  to  do  so." 

Instead  of  thanking  him,  she  shrank  from  him. 
"  You  saved  me,"  she  repeated,  "and  in  that 
uniform." 

"  How  else  could  I  save  you  ?  I  did  not  have 
time  to  take  it  off,"  replied  Lawrence,  somewhat 
amused. 

"  I  suppose  I  ought  to  thank  you  for  saving  my 


242  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

life,  but  I  do  n't.  I  had  rather  have  died  than  have 
that  uniform  touch  me.  I  hate  it,  and  I  hate  you, 
Lawrence  Middleton.  I  tell  you  I  hate  you !  "  and 
the  hot  tears  came  into  her  eyes. 

"Why?"  asked  Lawrence  contritely. 

"  Because  you  are  a  traitor  to  the  South.  Law- 
rence Middleton,  stop  the  cab  and  let  me  get  out.  I 
will  not  be  seen  riding  with  a  Yankee  officer." 

"  With  your  torn  dress  ?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  with  my  torn  dress."  She  started  to  rise, 
but  turned  pale  and  sank  back  with  a  moan.  "  I  am 
afraid  I  have  sprained  my  ankle,"  she  gasped. 

Lawrence's  face  showed  his  pity.  "  Dorothy,  be 
sensible,"  he  said.  "  You  do  not  know  how  sorry 
I  am  for  you  and  I  do  not  hate  you.  I  never  can 
hate  you.  Remember  what  good  friends  we  used 
to  be." 

"  That  was  before  you  turned  traitor.  Oh !  how 
disappointed  I  was  in  you." 

"  I  cannot  help  being  what  I  am,  true  to  the  flag." 
said  Lawrence,  "  and  you  cannot  help  being  what 
you  are  a  true  loyal  girl  to  the  South;  and  I  think 
none  the  less  of  you  for  it." 

"  That  is  because  you  know  I  am  right,"  cried 
Dorothy.  "  I  tell  you  I  hate  you.  Let  me  out." 
Once  more  she  tried  to  rise  and  once  more  sank 
back  with  a  moan. 

"  To  see  you  suffer  is  harder  to  bear  than  your 


A  FAITHLESS  KNIGRT-EliliANT  243 

hatred,  Dorothy.  But  you  are  ahnost  home.  You 
will  soon  be  rid  of  my  hateful  presence." 

Just  then  they  passed  a  fine  mansion,  on  the  steps 
of  which  stood  two  fashionable  young  ladies.  They 
stared  at  Dorothy  and  then  fairly  shrieked,  "  If 
there  is  n't  Dorothy  Hamilton  riding  with  a  Yankee 
officer.     Shameful!     Shameful!" 

Dorothy  heard  and  her  cheeks  flamed,  but  before 
she  could  say  anything  the  cab  drew  up  at  fher 
father's  door. 

"  Here  we  are,"  said  Lawrence  and  he  sprang  out 
and  turned  to  assist  her,  but  she  waved  him  im- 
periously aside  and  rose  to  get  out  by  herself.  But 
no  sooner  did  she  bear  her  weight  on  her  injured 
ankle  than  she  gave  a  sharp  cry  and  would  have 
fallen  had  Lawrence  not  caught  her  in  his  arms. 

Up  the  steps  he  bore  her,  her  head  resting  on  his 
shoulder.  He  could  feel  the  beating  of  her  heart 
against  his;  her  soft  hair  caressed  his  cheek,  and  one 
golden  lock  fell  across  his  lips,  and  —  must  we  con- 
fess ?  —  he  gently  kissed  it. 

As  for  Dorothy,  for  a  moment  she  forgot  she 
^vas  in  the  arms  of  a  Yankee  officer.  Those  strong 
young  arms  held  her  so  gently,  yet  so  securely,  and 
now  there  was  no  weight  on  her  ankle  she  sighed 
with  relief,  and  rested  her  head  on  Lawrence's 
shoulder  as  gently  as  if  it  had  been  her  mother's 
bosom. 


244  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

The  entrance  of  Lawrence  into  the  Hamilton 
household  caused  consternation.  "  Miss  Dorothy 
has  had  a  fall  and  sprained  her  ankle.  Better  call 
a  physician  right  away  for  I  am  afraid  it  is  serious." 
Thus  saying  he  deposited  his  lovely  burden  on  the 
sofa  and  was  gone  before  any  one  had  time  to  thank 
him. 

That  night  as  Lawrence  lay  on  his  bed,  two  faces 
came  before  his  mental  vision.  One  was  the  lovely 
face  of  Lola,  her  dark  eyes  shining  with  happiness, 
her  heart  full  of  sympathy.  The  other,  the  beauti- 
ful face  of  Dorothy  Hamilton,  Dorothy,  the  Yankee- 
hating  Southern  girl. 

Lawrence  tried  to  put  away  the  face  of  die  South- 
ern girl  and  think  only  of  Lola,  who  loved  the  flag 
he  loved,  who  honored  the  uniform  he  wore,  but  the 
thought  of  the  head  that  had  rested  on  his  shoulder, 
that  tress  of  golden  hair  his  lips  had  kissed  would 
come  again  and  again. 

At  last  he  muttered,  "  See  here,  Lawrence  Mid- 
dleton,  you  are  a  fool.  Not  yet  eighteen  years  of 
age,  with  no  fortune  but  your  sword,  and  thinking 
of  two  school  girls.     Better  go  to  sleep." 

Like  a  sensible  boy  he  took  his  own  advice,  turned 
over  and  went  to  sleep,  not  to  dream  of  girls,  but  of 
the  rush  and  roar  of  battle,  and  Lyon  was  by  his 
side. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

BRUNO  WINS  A  MEDAL 

WHEX  Lawrence  returned  from  St.  Louis 
he  found  his  troop,  which  he  had  christ- 
ened the  Lyon  Scouts,  in  fine  spirits  and 
eager  for  active  service.  Dan  Sherman  had  been 
faithfully  drilling  them,  not  only  in  the  manceuvres, 
but  in  target  and  sword  practice. 

"  What  I  want,"  he  said.  "  is  not  a  troop  for 
show,  but  men  \\ho  can  ride,  shoot,  and  know  how 
to  handle  the  sabre." 

Lawrence  heartily  commended  him  on  the  im- 
provement he  had  made  in  the  troop  and  expressed 
the  opinion  that  he  would  not  be  afraid  to  meet  an 
equal  number  of  any  command  that  the  enemy  might 
bring  against  him. 

WHiile  Lawrence  found  the  condition  of  the 
Scouts  so  satisfactory  he  was  anything  but  pleased 
with  the  condition  in  which  he  found  the  army. 
The  dissatisfaction  over  the  retreat  had  increased, 
instead  of  dying  out,  and  Fremont's  friends  were 
busy  in  fanning  the  flames. 

From  all  over  the  State  there  came  fierce  denun- 

245 


246  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

ciations  of  the  Federal  Government.  The  Union 
men  of  the  State  who  had  done  so  much  and  suffered 
so  much  for  the  flag  they  loved,  had  it  was  claimed, 
been  deserted  and  left  to  their  fate. 

In  the  meantime  Price  was  busy  recruiting  his 
army,  and  drawing  immense  supplies  from  the 
northern  portion  of  the  State  to  sustain  it.  Gue- 
rilla bands  swarmed  everywhere  to  plunder  and  to 
kill. 

So  great  was  the  cry  of  general  disapproval  that 
went  to  Washington  that  the  authorities  had  to  take 
notice.  The  President  soon  realized  that  a  mistake 
had  been  made  and  hastened  to  rectify  it.  Hunter 
was  transferred  to  the  new  Department  of  Kansas, 
and  the  friends  of  Fremont  had  the  satisfaction  of 
knowing  that  Hunter  had  held  the  position  of  com- 
mander of  the  army  hardly  more  than  two  weeks. 
But,  as  has  been  said  before,  Fremont  was  not  re- 
instated. 

It  was  during  these  changes  that  Lawrence  came 
back  from  St.  Louis.  He  had  been  back  but  a  couple 
of  days  when  a  fugitive  came  into  camp,  saying  that 
the  day  before  his  house  had  been  attacked  by  some 
forty  or  fifty  guerillas.  He  saw  them  coming  and 
managed  to  escape  to  the  woods,  but  as  he  fled  he 
saw  the  flames  and  smoke  from  his  burning 
buildings. 

With  tears  running  down  his  face  he  exclaimed, 


BRUNO  }yiNS  A  MEDAL  247 

"  God  only  knows  what  has  become  of  my  poor  wife 
and  children!  " 

Lawrence  asked  if  he  might  take  iiis  Scouts  and 
go  in  pursuit  of  the  hand  and  permission  was  read- 
ily granted.  Upon  the  earnest  entreaty  of  the  man 
an  army  wagon  was  sent  along  to  bring  back  the 
women  and  children  if  they  could  be  found,  for  he 
said  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to  live  in  the 
neighborhood  any  longer. 

A  detachment  of  cavalry  went  along  to  guard  the 
wagon  back,  if  the  family  could  be  found. 

Just  as  they  were  ready  to  start,  Law-rence  noticed 
that  Bruno  was  with  them.  "  Here,"  he  called  to 
Harry  Semans,  "  you  had  better  tell  Bruno  not  to 
come.     He  may  be  in  the  way." 

Harry,  young  as  he  was,  had  been  made  a  cor- 
poral, and  was  considered  one  of  the  best  soldiers  in 
the  company.  He  looked  disappointed  but  was  about 
to  obey,  when  Dan  Sherman  spoke  up,  "  Captain, 
you  had  better  countermand  that  order.  Harry,  tell 
the  Captain  what  you  have  been  doing." 

Harry  then  told  Lawrence  that  he  had  been  train- 
ing Bruno  to  stand  guard.  To  try  him  he  said  a 
couple  of  nights  before  he  and  a  few  others  had 
gone  to  the  woods  and  lain  down  as  if  to  sleep. 
Some  soldiers  of  another  regiment  were  dressed  as 
guerillas,  and  were  instructed  to  try  and  creep  up 
on  them,  and  surprise  them.     They  found  it  to  be 


248  TEE  SCOUT  OF  FEA  HIDQE 

impossible,  Bruno  detected  them  and  gave  warning 
every  time. 

"If  lie  is  that  good  a  picket  he  shall  surely  go," 
said  Lawrence.  "  Heh !  old  fellow,  do  you  want  to 
go?"  and  he  patted  the  dog's  head. 

Bruno  wagged  his  tail  vigorously  and  gave  three 
short  yelps,  so  he  was  allowed  to  go  along.  Law- 
rence noticed  that  the  dog  did  not  travel  in  the  road 
with  the  troop,  but  was  generally  scouting,  some- 
times ahead,  sometimes  on  the  side,  and  at  all  times 
alert  and  watchful. 

A  march  of  some  fifteen  miles  brought  them  to 
the  home  of  the  refugee,  but  where  his  farm  build- 
ings had  stood  formerly  were  only  heaps  of  ashes. 
All  his  stock,  tools,  and  everything  portable  had  dis- 
appeared. 

"  I  am  ruined,"  he  exclaimed,  "  but  if  I  can  only 
find  my  wife  and  children  I  shall  be  content.  They 
may  be  at  Croy's,  if  alive.  Croy  is  a  Confederate, 
he  has  two  sons  with  Price,  but  he  is  a  good  man, 
not  a  guerilla.  He  would  take  them  in  if  he 
dared." 

"Where  is  Croy's?"  asked  Lawrence. 

"  About  a  mile  farther  on,"  was  the  answer. 

So  to  Croy's  they  went  and  to  the  man's  great 
delight  found  his  wife  and  children  safe. 

"  I  took  them  in,"  said  Croy,  "  although  I  real- 
ized I  was  doing  a  bad  thing  for  myself.     Now  you 


BEUXO  WINS  A  MEDAL  249 

had  better  take  them,  and  get  out  of  the  county  as 
soon  as  you  can." 

So  the  woman  and  children  were  put  in  the  wagon 
and  sent  back  in  charge  of  the  detachment  of  cavalry. 

The  Scouts  were  eager  to  stay  and  see  if  they 
could  not  find  the  guerillas  and  Lawrence  was  more 
than  willing.  When  he  asked  Croy  if  he  knew  any- 
thing about  the  guerillas  or  in  what  direction  they 
went  that  gentleman  absolutely  declined  to  answer 
any  questions.  "  If  I  gave  you  any  information 
concerning  them  it  would  be  as  much  as  my  life  is 
worth,"  he  said.  "  If  I  gave  you  any  false  informa- 
tion, and  tried  to  mislead  you,  you  would  seek 
revenge." 

Lawrence  admired  the  man's  honesty  and  assured 
him  he  had  nothing  to  fear  from  him,  neither  would 
he  ask  him  any  questions. 

Mr.  Croy  thanked  him,  and  then  added,  "  1  will 
say  that  if  you  meet  this  gang  it  will  be  no  child's 
play.     Their  leader  Jerry  Alcorn  is  a  great  fighter." 

"  Who  did  you  say  their  leader  is?  "  asked  Law- 
rence in  surprise. 

"  Jerry  Alcorn.  He  is  a  stranger  in  these  parts. 
Some  say  —  "  he  stopped  and  then  slowly  added, 
"  that  he  is  a  brave  and  skilful  leader." 

So  Jerry  Alcorn  had  deserted  Price's  army  and 
turned  guerilla !  This  knowledge  only  made  Law- 
rence more  determined  to  hunt  up  the  gang. 


250  TlIK  SCOUT  OF  PEA   EIDGE 

But  he  found  it  no  easy  matter  to  get  any  trace 
of  the  enemy.  To  one  who  has  never  hunted  Mis- 
souri guerillas  during  the  war  it  would  seem  won- 
derful how  quickly  a  gang  of  forty  or  fifty  men 
could  disappear  and  to  all  appearances  the  county  be 
as  peaceful  as  a  Sabbath  morning. 

To  most  of  the  inquiries  made,  the  answer  would 
be,  "  Do  n't  know  anything  'bout  any  guerillas. 
Ain't  seen  any.  We  'uns  is  all  peaceful  citizens 
heah." 

Others  would  answer,  "  Thar  hev  bin  a  gang 
around,  but  they  hev  all  gone." 

But  at  last  Lawrence  struck  a  hot  trail  and  fol- 
lowed it  at  a  swift  gallop.  Coming  to  a  house,  be- 
fore which  a  native  sat  whittling,  Lawrence  reined 
up,  and  asked  if  any  guerillas  had  recently  passed. 
The  man  had  on  a  slouch  hat,  and  his  eyes  were 
uneasy  and  shifty,  his  countenance  had  what  might 
be  called  a  hang-dog  expression. 

But  to  Lawrence's  surprise  he  proved  communica- 
tive. Yes,  he  replied,  he  had  seen  some  guerillas, 
ten  or  twelve  had  passed  only  a  few  minutes  before. 
Their  horses  looked  tired,  and  if  he  rode  fast  no 
doubt  they  could  be  overhauled. 

"  You  seem  to  be  a  little  anxious  I  should  over- 
take them,"  said  Lawrence  somewhat  suspicious. 

The  fellow  ejected  a  goodly  quantity  of  tobacco 
juice  from  hi^  capacious  mouth,  and  then  drawled. 


BRUNO   niXS  A  MEDAL  251 

"  Yank.  I  be.  Gol  darn  thcni.  See  that  hoss  over 
thar?"  and  he  pointed  to  a  sorry  lookmg  specimen 
grazing  in  a  small  field.  "  Wall,  they  took  a  good 
hoss  from  me  and  left  that  thar  thing." 

"  Are  you  sure  there  were  not  more  than  ten  or 
twelve?"  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Sure,  I  counted  them.     Ain't  afraid,  air  ye?  " 

"  Xot  that  I  am  aware  of."  replied  Lawrence  with 
a  smile.     "  Forward  boys!  " 

No  sooner  had  they  started  than  Bruno  who  had 
been  scouting  in  front  and  had  just  returned  on  the 
full  run  began  acting  as  if  mad.  He  ran  in  front 
of  them  and  then  facing  them  would  howl  and 
jump. 

When  Lawrence  turned  to  ride  past  him  he  actu- 
ally sprang  and  caught  the  bridle  and  hung  back. 

"  Captain  ]\Iiddleton,  there  is  danger  ahead," 
cried  Harry.  ''  Bruno  would  never  act  like  that  if 
there  were  not." 

Lawrence  ordered  a  halt  and  Dan  Sherman  rode 
forward  and  he  and  Lawrence  held  a  consultation. 
Ahead  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  they  could  see  the 
road  had  been  dug  out  through  a  ridge.  The  road 
was  narrow  and  the  bank  on  each  side  quite  high 
and  covered  thickly  with  bushes.  It  was  an  ideal 
place  for  an  ambuscade.  A  troop  of  cavalr}'  caught 
in  that  narrow  road  could  be  slaughtered  without 
mercv. 


252  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIBGE 

"  It  will  never  do  to  ride  through  there  without 
investigating-,"  said  Dan. 

"  We  cannot  investigate  without  dismounting," 
answered  Lawrence,  "  and  that  would  divide  our 
little  force." 

"  What  can  we  do  ?  I  do  n't  feel  like  running 
away,"  growled  Sherman. 

Lawrence  glanced  back  at  the  house  they  had  just 
left.  The  man  was  still  in  front  regarding  them 
anxiously,  and  seemed  to  be  making  signals  with  one 
hand. 

Lawrence  thought  a  moment  and  then  said,  "  Dan, 
let 's  try  to  draw  them  out  if  they  're  there." 

"How?" 

"  Back  about  a  mile  you  see  the  road  goes  over 
the  brow  of  a  hill.  Once  back  of  that  brow  you 
cannot  be  seen.  Take  the  company,  ride  rapidly 
as  if  in  retreat  until  you  get  out  of  sight,  then  halt, 
face  about  in  line  of  battle,  and  be  ready  for  any- 
thing that  comes.  I  will  keep  four  men  and  stay 
and  interview^  that  fellow  back  there.  My  idea  is 
that  seeing  me  with  only  four  men,  they  will  try  to 
capture  us." 

"  For  God's  sake  be  careful  if  you  try  that,  Cap- 
tain," exclaimed  Dan. 

"  Do  n't  worry  —  only  be  ready  for  them  if  they 
follow  me." 

Dan   saluted   and   rode   back  crying,   "  Company 


BRUNO  WINS  A  MEDAL  253 

about  wheel,  all  but  the  first  four.  Forward!  Gal- 
lop! "     And  away  they  went  in  a  cloud  of  dust. 

The  four  men  left  with  Lawrence  looked  at  him 
wonderingly  and  then'  at  the  disappearing  troop. 
"  Boys,  keep  cool  and  be  ready  for  any  emergency," 
said  Lawrence.  "  First  I  want  a  little  more  talk 
with  that  scoundrel  back  there.  Keep  your  car- 
bines ready  and  do  n't  let  hhn  get  the  drop  on  any 
of  us,  if  he  should  try." 

They  slowly  rode  back  to  the  house  but  before 
they  reached  it,  the  fellow  turned  and  went  in. 

"  Hello,"  shouted  Lawrence.  "  Come  out  here. 
I  want  to  ask  you  a  few  more  questions  about  those 
guerillas." 

There  was  no  answer,  then  one  of  the  troopers 
suddenly  exclaimed,  "  By  Jove !  There  he  is  run- 
ning away  and  he  has  a  gun."  He  drew  his  own 
carbine  and  fired.  The  shot  must  have  struck  his 
arm  for  he  dropped  his  gim,  but  he  ran  on  gesticulat- 
ing wildly  with  his  left  hand. 

Lawrence  looked  down  the  road  towards  the  cut 
and  the  effect  of  the  shot  was  plainly  seen.  Men 
came  tumbling  out  of  the  bushes  into  the  road  in 
great  excitement.  They  looked  for  a  moment  and 
then  disappeared  to  appear  in  a  few  moments  on 
horseback.  They  came  sweeping  on  with  blood- 
curdling yells,  at  their  head  their  leader  on  a  power- 
ful jrrav  horse. 


254  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

"  Let  them  come  on  until  I  give  the  word,"  said 
Lawrence.  "  Then  fire,  wheel  and  ride  on  as  if 
Satan  were  after  you." 

The  men  sat  like  statues  on  their  horses,  but  they 
thought  Lawrence  was  letting  the  foremost  men 
come  perilously  near  before  he  gave  the  command 
to  fire.  At  last  the  order  was  given,  their  carbines 
blazed,  then  they  turned  and  fled.  Lawrence  waited 
a  moment  to  see  the  effect  of  the  shots.  The  horse 
of  the  leader  pitched  forward,  but  the  rider  struggled 
to  his  feet.  Lawrence  waited  no  longer,  for  the  balls 
began  to  whistle  about  him. 

The  fall  of  their  leader,  who  was  no  other  than 
Jerry  Alcorn,  checked  the  advance  of  the  guerillas. 
As  he  arose  to  his  feet  he  found  one  of  his  legs  had 
been  badly  bruised.  Maddened  by  his  pain  and  the 
loss  of  his  horse  he  shouted  to  his  lieutenant  who 
had  ridden  up,  *'  Do  n't  stop,  Davis.  Catch  the 
devils.     Give  no  quarter." 

The  band  rode  on.  Alcorn  stopped  one  of  the 
rear  men,  ordering  him  to  dismount  and  help  him 
on  his  horse.  He  then  started  to  follow  his  men, 
but  had  not  ridden  far,  when  he  was  startled  by 
wild  cheering  and  over  the  hill  came  his  men  in 
utter  rout,  followed  by  the  Yankees. 

When  Lawrence  reached  his  men  he  found  Sher- 
man had  them  drawn  up  in  solid  array  across  the 
road. 


BEUKO   jriNS  A  MEDAL  255 

"  Steady,  men,"  said  Lawrence,  **  let  tiie  leaders 
get  well  over  the  brow  of  the  hill.  Fire  at  the  word, 
arid  then  at  them  with  revolver  and  sabre." 

Over  the  hill  came  the  foremost  of  the  guerillas. 
They  saw  the  solid  line  in  front,  and  tried  to  draw 
back,  but  those  in  the  rear  pressed  on. 

Then  came  the  command,  "  Fire."  Nearly  fifty 
carbines  blazed.  "Charge!"  shouted  Lawrence. 
Like  a  whirlwind  the  Scouts  were  on  them,  shoot- 
ing, sabring,  striking  right  and  left.  Taken  en- 
tirely by  surprise  the  guerrillas  stood  only  for  a 
moment,  and  then  fled  in  terror,  but  the  remorseless 
pursuers  were  among  them,  dealing  death  on  every 
side.  ]^Iany  of  the  guerrillas  abandoned  their  horses 
and  fled  into  the  bushes  which  lined  the  road. 
Others  threw  down  their  arms  and  begged  for 
mercy. 

It  was  soon  over.  After  pursuing  the  remnant 
for  about  a  mile  Lawrence  thought  it  best  to  recall 
his  men,  and  gather  up  the  trophies  of  victory.  He 
found  he  had  fifteen  prisoners  and  about  twenty-five 
horses.  Six  of  the  guerillas  were  found  dead  and 
about  a  dozen  more  desperately  wounded.  Of  the 
troopers  one  had  been  killed  and  five  wounded,  but 
only  two  seriously. 

The  dead  and  wounded  were  taken  to  the  house 
where  the  man  had  tried  to  deceive  them.  There 
were  a  badly  frightened  woman  there  and  three  chil- 


256  TEE  aCOVT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

dren.  Some  of  the  men  were  about  to  lire  the  house 
on  account  of  the  man's  treachery,  but  Lawrence 
stopped  them.  "  Never  let  it  be  said,"  he  ex- 
claimed, "  that  we  make  war  on  women  and  chil- 
dren or  that  we  wantonly  destroy  property.  Leave 
that  for  our  enemies.  But  I  see  there  is  a  lot  of 
forage  here.  Give  your  horses  a  good  feed,  and 
do  n't  let  any  of  the  chickens  or  fat  pigs  run  over 
you.     But  take  no  more  than  you  actually  need." 

The  men  smiled  and  soon  fires  were  blazing  and 
each  scout  was  seen  holding  over  the  fire  on  the  end 
of  a  pointed  stick,  the  half  of  a  chicken  or  a  savory 
piece  ef  pork. 

Lawrence  entered  the  house  and  found  the  woman 
cowering  in  a  corner  with  her  three  children  cling- 
ing to  her  in  terror.  "  Do  not  be  alarmed,  madam," 
said  Lawrence.  "  Neither  you  nor  your  children 
shall  be  harmed.  Forage  will  be  taken  for  our 
horses  and  I  see  my  men  are  helping  themselves  to 
some  of  your  chickens  and  pigs.  Beyond  this  you 
will  not  be  disturbed." 

"I  —  I  heard  some  of  your  soldiers  say  they  were 
going  to  burn  the  house,"  gasped  the  woman. 

"  So  some  of  my  men  proposed,"  said  Lawrence, 
"  to  repay  your  husband  for  his  treachery  in  trying 
to  send  us  to  our  deaths.  But  you  shall  not  suffer 
for  his  sins.  If  I  had  him  I  could  hang  him  with 
good  grace." 


BRUNO  WISS  A  21EDAL  257 

Lawrence  let  his  men  rest  about  an  hour.  The 
sun  had  set,  and  night  was  near  and  he  did  not  deem 
it  prudent  to  remain  with  his  small  force  where  he 
was. 

The  wounded  guerillas  were  made  as  comfort- 
able as  possible  and  left.  Lawrence  knew  his  com- 
mand would  hardly  be  out  of  sight,  before  some  of 
the  gang  would  be  creeping  back. 

In  a  rough  barn  some  harness  was  found  and  two 
of  the  captured  horses  were  harnessed  to  a  farm 
wagon.  Into  this  wagon  the  Scouts  tenderly  placed 
the  dead  body  of  their  comrade  and  the  seriously 
wounded.  The  hands  of  the  prisoners  were  tightly 
bound  behind  them  and  they  were  placed  on  the  cap- 
tured horses.  By  the  side  of  each  prisoner  rode  a 
scout  with  a  loaded  revolver  in  his  hand. 

All  through  the  darkness  of  the  night  they  trav- 
elled, and  just  as  day  was  breaking  reached  camp. 

The  news  of  their  victory  spread  like  wildfire  and 
they  were  quickly  surrounded  by  a  cheering,  excited 
throng. 

When  the  stoiy  of  Bruno  was  told,  the  soldiers 
nearly  went  wild.  They  petted  and  hugged  him  and 
voted  him  an  honorary  member  of  the  army.  They 
even  hammered  out  a  rough  medal,  and  attached  it 
to  his  collar,  and  no  soldier  of  the  Legion  ever  wore 
his  Cross  of  Honor  more  proudly  than  did  Bruno 
his  medal. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

LAWRENCE    MEETS    BENTON    SHELLEY 

TO  his  great  satisfaction,  Lawrence  saw  that 
.with  the  appointment  of  Halleck  a  different 
spirit  came  over  the  army.  The  soldiers 
began  to  be  more  hopeful,  and  said  Halleck  would 
do  something,  nor  were  they  mistaken,  Halleck 
had  a  difficult  task  before  him,  but  he  met  it  with  en- 
ergy, and  showed  wise  generalship.  He  infused 
new  life  into  the  amiy,  and  at  once,  turned  his  at- 
tention to  clearing  out  the  guerilla  bands  that 
infested  the  State.  He  also  began  to  make  prepara- 
tions to  drive  Price  back  from  the  ^Missouri  River. 

It  is  hard  to  believe  that  the  Halleck  who  com- 
manded in  Missouri  was  the  same  who  commanded 
the  great  army  before  Corinth.  In  Missouri  he  was 
alert,  daring,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  throw  his  army 
against  superior  numbers.  Before  Corinth  he  was 
weak,  vacillating,  trembling  for  fear  he  might  be 
attacked,  and  threw  away  the  grandest  opportunity 
offered  to  any  general  during  the  war.  No  larger 
or  better  army  was  ever  gathered  on  this  continent 
than  was  at  Pittsburg  Landing  for  the  advance  on 

258 


LAWRENCE  MEETS  BENTON  SHELLEY  259 

Corinth,  and  it  all  came  to  naught  through  the  in- 
efficiency of  Halleck.  But  that  part  of  the  war  has 
nothing  to  do  with  this  story.* 

Hardly  had  the  Scouts  returned  from  their  suc- 
cessful encounter  with  Jerry  Alcorn's  gang  of  gue- 
rillas, when  Charles  Morris  made  his  appearance. 
When  Lawrence  returned  from  St.  Louis  he  found 
Morris  had  gone  off  on  one  of  his  lonely  scouts.  No 
one  knew  where.  I'ut  now  he  suddenly  returned 
and  as  usual  brought  news.  He  laughingly  said  he 
had  been  hobnobbing  with  General  Rains. 

"How  is  that?''  asked  Lawrence.  "I  would 
have  thought  you  would  have  been  detected.  You 
must  have  seen  Rains  when  you  were  with  Price." 

"  Well,  to  tell  the  truth,"  said  Morris.  "  I  did  n't 
hobnob  with  Rains,  but  I  did  with  his  hostler,  which 
is  about  the  same." 

"  How  in  the  world?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Oh !  I  was  rather  a  dilapidated  looking  specimen 
of  a  mulatto  boy  when  I  did." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  say  you  penetrated  the  camp 
of  General  Rains  disguised  as  a  negro?" 

"  Sure.  It  was  easy  enough.  For  true  blue 
Unionism  and  faithfulness  trust  the  slaves  every 
time.  But  you  have  not  asked  me  what  news  I 
bring." 

*This  part  of  the  war  is  fully  dealt  with  in  The  Young  Kcn- 
tuclcian  Series."' 


260  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  Well,  by  all  means,  tell  nie  now." 

Morris  went  on  to  say  that  the  brigades  of  Rains 
and  Spear  had  fallen  back  from  Lexington,  and 
taken  a  position  along  the  Osage.  "  But  there  are 
still  a  large  number  of  recruits  and  heavy  trains 
back  yet,"  he  said,  "  and  by  a  swift  movement  they 
can  be  intercepted." 

The  news  was  quickly  taken  to  headquarters  and 
General  Pope,  who  was  in  command  at  Sedalia,  acted 
with  promptness  and  despatch.  A  force  of  about 
four  thousand  men,  consisting  of  two  brigades,  one 
commanded  by  General  Jeff.  C.  Davis  and  the  other 
by  General  Steele,  was  selected  to  make  the  move- 
ment. To  deceive  Confederate  spies,  if  any  might 
be  around,  it  was  given  out  that  the  force  was  to 
move  against  Warsaw.  To  carry  out  the  deception, 
the  force  marched  south  towards  Warsaw  for  sev- 
eral miles,  then  turned  and  marched  west. 

As  Morris  was  guide  the  Scouts  were  given 
the  honor  of  the  advance.  Towards  the  close  of  the 
second  day's  march  the  force  was  directly  across  the 
main  roads  which  led  from  Warrensburg  south,  and 
the  routes  taken  by  Price  in  bringing  his  recruits 
and  supplies.  The  Scouts  who  had  been  far  in  ad- 
vance reported  that  a  force  of  over  two  thousand 
of  the  enemy  were  encamped  about  six  miles  south. 

General  Davis  ordered  all  of  his  cavalry  to  attack. 
Although  the  enemy  were  three  to  one  they  fled 


LAWRENCE  MEETS  BENTON  SHELLEY  261 

without  giving  battle.  They  could  hardly  have  done 
otherwise  for  they  were  recruits,  hundreds  of  them 
without  arms. 

When  they  were  closely  pressed  they  would  scat- 
ter and  take  to  the  bush.  For  a  day  and  a  night  the 
pursuit  was  kept  up,  and  in  the  end  the  enemy  was 
completely  scattered. 

The  Scouts  and  a  couple  of  companies  of  cavalry 
called  the  ^lerrill  Horse  pursued  the  portion  which 
had  kept  directly  south.  They  relentlessly  kept  up 
the  pursuit  until  they  rode  into  the  outposts  of  Gen- 
eral Rains,  a  little  north  of  the  Osage 

Here  they  captured  a  picket  post  and  two  loaded 
wagons,  but  just  as  they  were  getting  ofi  with  their 
prisoners  and  booty,  a  company  of  cavalry  came 
charging  down  on  them.  Sending  back  his  prison- 
ers Lawrence  formed  his  company  to  meet  the 
charge. 

"  Stand  firm,"  said  Lawrence.  "  Have  your  car- 
bines ready,  but  not  a  shot  until  the  command,  then 
fire  and  charge  with  sabre." 

On  came  the  Confederates,  yelling  and  firing,  but 
most  of  the  shots  went  wild. 

To  Lawrence's  surprise  he  saw  that  the  leader  of 
the  charging  squadron  was  no  other  than  Benton 
Shelley.  Lawrence's  jaws  came  together  \\-nth  a 
snap.  He  believed  that  if  they  met.  one  or  the  other 
w^ould  die.  and  he  nerved  himself  for  the  conflict. 


262  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

So  close  did  Lawrence  let  the  charging  column 
come  that  some  of  his  men  began  to  get  nervous.  At 
last  there  rang  out  the  word,  "  Fire,"  and  fifty  car- 
bines blazed.  Half  a  score  of  men  and  horses  went 
down. 

Hardly  had  the  smoke  lifted  when  the  Scouts 
were  upon  them.  Sabre  rang  against  sabre.  There 
were  wild  yells,  horrid  oaths,  and  cries  of  agony. 
Straight  to  Benton's  side  Lawrence  fought  his  way. 

The  Confederates  began  to  give  way,  and  Benton 
like  a  mad  man  was  trying  to  check  the  panic  when 
Lawrence  rode  on  him.  Swiftly  Benton  turned  to 
defend  himself,  and  as  he  did  so  recognized  his  as- 
sailant.   A  look  of  deadly  hatred  came  over  his  face. 

"  So  it  is  you,"  he  cried  with  an  oath.  "  Curses 
on  you.     Now^  you  or  I  die." 

Their  swords  clashed,  and  for  a  moment  the  is- 
sue was  doubtful.  Benton  fought  like  a  demon,  but 
Lawrence  was  the  cooler  of  the  two.  With  his 
trusty  sword,  the  sword  of  Bunker  Hill,  he  parried 
every  stroke,  carefully  watching  for  an  opening. 
At  last  there  came  an  opportunity  for  a  downward 
blow,  a  blow  that  if  not  parried  would  have  cleft 
Benton's  skull  in  twain. 

Benton  saw  the  blow  coming  and  just  had  time  to 
interpose  his  sword  before  it  fell.  But  so  powerful 
was  the  blow  that  it  beat  down  Benton's  guard,  and 
the  keen  edge  of  Lawrence's  sword  bit  into  his  head, 


LAWRKXCK  MEETS  BEXTOX  SHELLEY  263 

not  deep  enough  to  kill,  but  deep  enough  for  the 
blood  to  gush  out  blinding  him  for  a  time. 

Just  then  Benton's  horse  was  struck  down  by  a 
ball.  But  wounded  as  he  was  and  one  leg  held  fast 
by  his  horse,  Benton  had  no  thoughts  of  surren- 
dering. In  fact  he  believed  that  Lawrence  would 
give  no  quarter.  He  blindly  felt  with  his  hand  and 
drew  a  revolver  from  the  holster  on  his  saddle. 
But  Lawrence  sprang  from  his  horse,  struck  the  re- 
volver from  his  hand,  and  with  the  point  of  his 
sword  touching  his  breast,  ordered  him  to  surrender. 

"  I  surrender,"  said  Benton  with  a  growl,  "  for  I 
have  no  fancy  to  lie  here  defenceless,  and  be  stuck 
like  a  pig;  but  if  you  were  here,  and  I  where  you 
are,  there  would  be  no  quarter." 

"  Bold  words  for  one  in  your  condition,"  said 
Lawrence,  "  and  if  I  stuck  you  like  the  beast  you 
are.  I  would  only  do  my  duty.  But  it  will  never  be 
said  of  me  I  murdered  a  wounded  enemy.  I  will 
let  those  in  higher  command  deal  with  you  as  your 
crimes  deserve." 

By  this  time  the  combat  was  over.  A  company 
of  Merrill  Horse  had  come  to  the  rescue,  and  the 
whole  squadron  that  Benton  commanded  was  taken 
prisoner. 

Lawrence  gave  Benton  in  charge  of  two  of  his 
men  with  orders  to  take  him  back  and  procure  a 
surgeon  as  quickly  as  possible. 


264  TEE  SCOUT  OF  TEA  RIDGE 

The  prisoners  were  then  secured  and  the  com- 
mand fell  back,  for  they  were  so  close  to  the  Con- 
federate lines  a  large  force  could  be  sent  against 
them.  They  were  not  pursued,  however,  and  com- 
ing to  a  large  plantation,  where  there  was  plenty 
of  forage,  the  whole  command  halted.  The  horses 
were  fed  and  the  men  prepared  their  frugal  meal. 

Lawrence  thought  he  would  go  and  hunt  up  Ben- 
ton. For  aught  he  knew  he  might  be  dangerously 
wounded.  He  found  him,  his  head  swathed  in 
bandages  lying  on  an  improvised  bed,  and  looking 
pale  and  weak.  Lawrence  expected  to  find  him  sul- 
len and  not  inclined  to  talk,  but  to  his  surprise  Ben- 
ton received  him  cordially.  Holding  out  his  hand 
he  said,  "  Middleton,  I  am  glad  to  see  you.  The 
fortune  of  war  has  placed  me  in  your  hands,  and  I 
could  not  have  surrendered  to  a  braver  or  more 
gallant  foe." 

What  did  it  mean?  Lawrence  could  not  under- 
stand. 

Benton  went  on,  "  I  want  you  to  forgive  me  for 
what  I  said  when  you  captured  me.  I  was  ex- 
cited, I  did  not  realize  what  I  was  saying." 

"  It  does  not  matter,"  replied  Lawrence.  "  How 
is  your  wound  ?  " 

"  Bad,  you  nearly  finished  me,  but  if  I  live,  you 
will  see  that  I  am  used  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  will 
you  not?  " 


"I  surrender,"  said  Benton,  with  a  jrruwl 


LAWnFXCE  MEETS  BENTON  SHELLEY  265 

"  \Miat  do  you  mean?  "  asked  Lawrence.  "  \\'e 
are  not  in  the  habit  of  murdering  our  prisoners." 

"I  —  I  thought  from  what  you  said,  you  might 
report  me  as  a  spy.  I  was  taken  prisoner  in  hon- 
orable combat." 

Lawrence's  face  hardened.  "  So  you  were  this 
time,"  he  answered,  "  but  will  that  atone  for  St. 
Louis?  How  did  you  come  out  here?  I  thought 
you  were  on  the  staff  of  General  Price." 

"  So  I  am,  but  when  the  general  heard  of  this  ad- 
vance, he  sent  me  to  find  out  what  it  meant.  But 
Middleton,  you  have  not  answered,  you  are  not  go- 
ing to  report  me  are  you  ?  " 

"  What  happened  in  St.  Louis  while  you  were 
there  I  might  pass  by,"  answered  Lawrence,  and  his 
voice  became  harsh  as  he  spoke,  "  but  what  have  you 
to  say  of  leaving  a  pack  of  cowardly  assassins  be- 
hind to  murder  both  your  step-brother  and  myself." 

Benton's  face  grew  ghastly.  He  tried  to  speak, 
but  for  a  time  could  not,  but  at  last  he  managed  to 
gasp,  "What  do  you  mean?" 

"  Ask  Jerry  Alcorn.  He  can  tell  you,  plotter 
and  would-be  assassin  that  you  are,"  said  Lawrence 
furiously,  maddened  at  Benton's  duplicity. 

"Jerry  Alcorn,  what  of  him?  What  did  he  tell 
you?"  cried  Benton.  "He's  a  sneak,  a  deserter. 
He  deserted  the  army  and  I  am  told  formed  a  gang 
of  robbers." 


L'tit)  LIIE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  lilDGE 

"  A  band  of  guerillas,  you  mean,"  retorted  Law- 
rence. '*  Robbing  and  murdering  in  the  name  of  the 
Confederacy.  If  it  will  do  you  any  good  I  will 
tell  you.  I  met  Jerry's  band  the  other  day  and 
wiped  half  of  them  out  of  existence,  but  unfortu- 
nately Jerry  got  away.  But  it  was  Dickey  Holbrook, 
not  Jerry  who  gave  you  away.  When  we  captured 
Dickey  he  confessed  the  whole  thing." 

'"Dickey  is  a  liar,"  cried  Benton.  "  He  told  that 
story  to  try  and  save  his  own  neck.  I  had  nothing 
to  do  with  that  plot,  knew  nothing  of  it." 

"  Benton,  you  are  a  liar,"  said  Lawrence  coldly. 
"  You  make  your  case  no  better  by  your  denial.  As 
far  as  I  am  concerned,  I  should  not  inform  on  you, 
but  as  a  soldier  I  have  a  duty  to  perform.  Whether 
that  duty  should  lead  me  to  inform  or  not,  I  have 
not  fully  decided.  I  will  think  it  over.  But  re- 
member you  tried  to  get  your  step-brother  hung." 

Benton  groaned  and  asked,  "Where  is  Guilford?" 

"  If  I  knew  I  would  not  tell  you.  He  is  a  wan- 
derer, denounced  by  his  father,  and  you  are  the 
heir.  That  should  satisfy  you.  But  I  see  we  are 
getting  ready  to  move.     Can  you  ride  a  horse  ?  " 

"No.  I  tell  you  I  am  badly  hurt;  and  if  you 
carry  out  your  intention  of  informing  on  me  I  hope 
I  will  die." 

Benton's  haggard  face  bore  out  his  statement,  but 


LAWni:\CK  MEETS  BENTON  SHELLEY  267 

if  Lawrence  had  known  it  was  his  fears,  rather 
than  his  wounds  that  made  him  shake  and  tremble, 
lie  would  not  have  been  so  moved  to  compassion. 
As  it  was  he  called  an  ambulance,  had  Benton  care- 
fully placed  in  it.  and  made  him  as  comfortable  as 
possible. 

All  through  the  night  they  marched,  for  the  cav- 
alry had  orders  that  after  they  pursued  the  enemy 
as  far  as  safety  permitted  they  were  to  retum  and 
join  the  infantry  under  General  Davis. 

In  the  morning  when  the  column  halted  for  rest 
and  breakfast,  Lawrence  thought  he  would  go  and 
see  how  Benton  was  getting  on.  To  his  great  sur- 
prise he  learned  that  Benton  was  missing.  He  had 
slipped  out  of  the  ambulance  sometime  during  the 
night. 

"  He  pretended  to  be  powerful  bad,"  said  the 
driver.  "  He  called  for  water  and  was  that  weak  I 
had  to  raise  his  head  for  him  to  drink.  He  kept 
groaning  and  I  thought  he  would  surely  die  before 
morning.  Along  about  midnight  he  became  more 
quiet,  and  then  I  did  not  hear  him  at  all,  and  I 
looked  to  see  if  he  was  dead,  and,  by  jiminy!  there 
was  no  Reb  in  the  ambulance.  He  must  have  slipped 
out,  and  escaped  in  the  darkness.  Say,  Cap.  I 
wasn't  to  blame.  You  won't  have  me  punished, 
will  you?" 


268  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  No,  he  fooled  me  as  well  as  you,"  answered 
Lawrence.     "  He  must  have  been  shamming." 

The  soldier  thanked  Lawrence  with  tears  in  his 
eyes.  For  hours  he  had  been  in  agony  lest  he  be 
court-martialled  for  letting  the  prisoner  escape. 

Lawrence  could  not  say  he  was  really  sorry  that 
Benton  had  escaped.  To  have  informed  on  him 
and  had  him  executed  as  a  spy,  was  something  from 
which  his  whole  being  shrank. 

But  to  satisfy  himself  whether  Benton  had  been 
shamming  or  not,  or  whether  he  crawled  out  of  the 
ambulance  to  die,  free  from  the  hateful  presence  of 
the  Yanks,  Lawrence  hunted  up  the  surgeon  who 
had  dressed  his  wound.  When  told  the  facts,  the 
surgeon  burst  into  a  hearty  laugh.  "  He  has  put 
one  over  on  you.  Captain."  he  chuckled.  ''  He  had 
a  nasty  cut,  lost  considerable  blood,  but  his  wound 
was  not  at  all  dangerous.  I  took  a  few  stitches 
in  his  head,  bound  up  the  wound  nicely  and  told  him 
he  would  be  all  right  in  a  few  days." 

Lawrence  had  to  bear  with  considerable  chaffing 
over  the  affair  but  he  bore  it  with  equanimity,  for 
the  more  he  thought  of  it,  the  more  he  rejoiced  over 
the  fact  that  Benton  had  escaped.  Now  his  con- 
science was  clear. 

As  soon  as  his  cavalry  had  returned.  General 
Davis  marched  his  forces  northward,  for  Morris  re- 
ported that  another  large  body  of  recruits  had  just 


LAJVEEXCE  MEETS  nEMOX  SHELLEY  L'ti9 

left  Lexington.  This  force  was  met  a  few  miles 
north  of  Warrensburg,  near  a  hamlet  called  Mil  ford. 

The  front  of  the  enemy  was  protected  by  a  stream 
called  Clear  Creek.  The  banks  were  steep,  and 
muddy  and  the  water  too  deep  to  ford.  There  was 
but  one  way  across  the  stream,  a  narrow  bridge. 

"  Boys,  that  bridge  must  be  taken,"  cried  Law- 
rence.    "  Can  we  do  it?  " 

"  We  can."  shouted  the  men  as  with  one  voice. 

"Then  forward!  Stop  for  nothing  after  I  give 
the  command.     Charge." 

So  swift  was  the  charge  that  the  defenders  of  the 
bridge  had  time  only  for  one  volley,  before  the 
Scouts  were  thundering  across  it  and  were  into 
them.     Then  they  fled  in  confusion. 

The  infantry  crossed.  The  lines  were  formed  and 
moved  forward  to  the  attack,  but  there  was  no  bat- 
tle. A  white  flag  fluttered  in  front  and  the  entire 
force  surrendered. 

The  prisoners  numbered  nearly  thirteen  hun- 
dred, among  them  were  three  colonels.  It  was  the 
most  notable  victory  yet  won  in  the  State.  In  his 
gallant  charge  across  the  bridge  Lawrence  had  one 
man  killed  and  eight  w'ounded. 

The  object  of  the  expedition  now  being  accom- 
plished, General  Davis  with  his  force  returned  to 
Sedalia,  and  in  just  one  week  from  the  day  he 
started,  he  re-occupied  his  old  camp.     The  fruits  of 


270  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  TdVGE 

this  short  campaign  were  fifteen  hundred  prisoners, 
over  one  hundred  wagons  loaded  with  suppHes,  a 
thousand  stands  of  arms  and  nearly  one  thousand 
horses. 

The  news  of  this  victory  brought  courage  to  the 
hearts  of  a  despairing  army. 

A  few  days  after  this,  General  Prentiss,  north  of 
the  river  struck  a  body  of  recruits  on  their  way  to 
join  Price,  and  routed  them  with  a  loss  of  two  hun- 
dred killed  and  wounded  and  fifty  prisoners.  Thus 
the  year  1861  closed  with  brightening  prospects  for 
the  Federals  as  far  as  the  State  of  Missouri  was 
concerned. 

But  the  eight  months  of  the  war  had  been  sad 
ones  for  the  North.  Instead  of  ending  the  war  in  a 
few  months  as  every  one  thought,  it  was  now  seen  it 
had  hardly  commenced.  In  the  East  the  Federals 
had  been  driven  back,  and  the  Confederate  flag 
floated  in  sight  of  Washington.  In  Missouri  there 
had  not  been  held  all  that  Lyon  had  won. 

During  the  first  months  of  the  war  Missouri 
could  be  called  the  dark  and  bloody  ground  of  the 
conflict.  During  the  year  1861  there  had  been 
fought  on  the  soil  of  Missouri  over  seventy  engage- 
ments. Of  these  two  at  least  were  bloody  battles, 
Wilson  Creek  and  Belmont.  The  capture  of  Lex- 
ington was  the  severest  blow  inflicted  on  the  Fed- 
erals. 


LAWRENCE  MEETS  BENTON  SUELLEY  271 

So  far  no  other  State  had  felt  the  horrors  and 
ravages  of  war  as  had  the  unhappy  State  of  Mis- 
souri. Terribly  was  it  paying  for  the  disloyalty  of 
tiiose  who  tried  to  drag  it  out  of  the  Union. 

After  the  successful  raid  of  General  Davis  and  the 
capture  of  the  recruits,  General  Price,  disheartened, 
drew  back  his  lines,  and  established  his  headquarters 
at  Springfield.  The  fifty  thousand  troops  he  had 
called  for  had  not  been  forthcoming,  and  the  few 
thousand  that  had  responded  had  been  captured  or 
dispersed. 

Judging  from  the  past,  Price  thought  the  Federal 
commander  would  not  attempt  an  advance  in  win- 
ter, so  he  gave  orders  to  his  army  to  erect  winter 
quarters,  as  he  expected  to  remain  undisturbed  in 
Springfield  until  Spring. 

Halleck  was  not  disposed  to  let  Price  remain  quiet. 
The  authorities  at  Washington  had  also  seen  their 
mistake  and  were  now  anxious  to  retake  what 
Hunter  had  given  up,  so  a  winter  campaign  was  de- 
cided upon. 

While  the  preparations  for  the  campaign  were 
going  on,  Lawrence  received  a  letter  from  Lola 
Laselle,  which  contained  the  most  extraordinary 
news,  news  which  filled  him  with  amazement.  What 
the  news  was  will  be  told  in  the  next  chapter. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

RANDOLPH   HAMILTON 

THOSE  who  have  read  the  first  book  of  this 
series,  "  With  Lyon  In  Missouri,"  may  wish 
to  know  how  Lawrence's  young-  friends  who 
went  into  the  Southern  army  fare.  One  of  these 
young  men,  Benton  Shelley,  has  already  appeared  in 
this  volume ;  but  Benton  was  the  black  sheep  of  the 
boys  with  whom  Lawrence  associated. 

There  was  another  youthful  companion  of  Law- 
rence in  the  Southern  army  whom  he  had  always 
looked  upon  as  his  closest  friend.  This  was  Ran- 
dolph Hamilton,  the  brother  of  Dorothy.  Even  the 
bitter  passions  of  war  did  not  sever  the  friendship 
which  existed  between  Lawrence  and  Randolph,  for 
each  respected  the  views  of  the  other. 

Randolph  had  shown  great  bravery  in  battle  and 
was  now  the  First  Lieutenant  of  his  company. 

While  Randolph  respected  Benton  Shelley  as  a 
brave  soldier,  he  disliked  him,  and  after  the  battle 
of  Wilson  Creek,  that  dislike  grew.  It  was  intensi- 
fied when  Benton  returned  from  St.  Louis.  That 
Guilford  Craig  was  a  traitor  horrified   Randolph ; 


EAXDOLPH  HAMILTOX  273 

bill  when  he  saw  ihat  Benlon  gloried  in  his  astute- 
ness in  unmasking  Guilford,  rather  than  grieved  over 
his  step-brother's  disgrace,  he  hardly  knew  which  he 
despised  the  most. 

Randolph  was  in  Rains's  brigade,  and  the  day 
Benton  Shelley  was  captured  he  had  earnestly  asked 
that  his  company  be  allowed  to  go  to  the  rescue, 
but  his  request  was  refused.  The  Confederate  gen- 
erals believed  that  it  was  a  general  advance  of  the 
Federal  army.  Xor  was  that  belief  fully  dispelled, 
until  two  days  afterwards  when  Benton  Shelley  ap- 
peared, telling  the  story  of  his  capture  and  escape. 

The  story  of  his  combat  was  listened  to  with  eager 
interest  by  those  who  knew  Lawrence. 

Benton  claimed  that  his  defeat  was  due  to  his 
horse  being  shot,  and  that  Lawrence  struck  him  over 
the  head  with  his  sword  after  he  was  down. 

"  He  meant  to  kill  me,"  exclaimed  Benton,  "  and 
boasted  afterwards  he  only  spared  my  life  that  he 
might  see  me  hung." 

A  look  of  incredulity  came  over  the  faces  of  both 
Edward  Middleton  and  Randolph  Hamilton  when 
they  heard  this.  "  I  do  n't  believe  one  word  of  it," 
said  Randolph  to  Edward  when  they  were  alone. 
"  It  was  not  like  Lawrence." 

"  Neither  do  I  believe  that  Lawrence  stnick  him 
after  he  was  down,"  said  Edward.  "  Benton  would 
hate  to  admit  that  he  was  defeated  in  single  combat." 


274  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

It  was  months  before  they  learned  the  true  story 
of  that  fight.  Soon  after  General  Price  had  estab- 
lished his  headquarters  at  Springfield,  and  his  army 
was  resting  in  fancied  security,  a  letter  came  to  Ran- 
dolph (for  secret  communication  was  still  kept  up 
with  St.  Louis)  which  filled  him  with  dismay.  The 
letter  was  from  his  father  and  told  him  his  mother 
was  very  ill,  and  that  she  continually  mourned  the 
absence  of  her  son. 

"  The  doctor  thinks,"  wrote  his  father,  "  that  if 
she  could  only  see  you,  it  would  do  her  more  good 
than  all  the  medicine,  and  perhaps  might  save  her 
hfe." 

Enclosed  with  the  letter  from  his  father  was  one 
from  Dorothy,  and  sad  as  his  heart  was  over  the 
illness  of  his  mother,  he  had  to  smile  when  he  read 
Dorothy's  letter. 

It  told  all  about  the  accident  that  had  befallen  her, 
and  how  she  was  rescued  by  Lawrence.  The  fol- 
lowing is  an  extract  from  the  letter : 

I  am  just  mad  at  myself.  I  don't  see  why  if  any- 
thing happens  to  any  of  us,  that  odious  Lawrence 
aVIiddleton  has  to  be  around.  He  had  to  save  you 
from  the  Dutch  mob,  and  now  me  from  being  trampled 
on  by  a  horse.  Why  could  n't  it  have  been  some  one 
else?  I  hate  him  and  would  almost  rather  have  been 
killed  than  have  him  save  me.  ["Oh!  no,  you  had  n't. 
Puss."  this  by  Randolpb.]  He  was  awfully  nice  anil 
looked  grand  in  his  captain's  uniform.     That  made  mc 


EAXDOLPH  HAMILTON  275 

hate  him  all  the  more.  Every  time  my  ankle  gives  a 
twinge  1  have  to  think  of  him,  and  that  make?  me 
madder  than  ever. 

P.  S.  Some  of  the  girls  have  told  me  that  Lola  La- 
selle  boasts  (you  know  I  never  speak  to  her)  that  she 
corresponds  with  Lawrence  Middlcton.  Well,  who 
cares?  I  am  sure  she  is  welcome.  They  are  both  of 
a  piece,  miserable  Yankees.    Oh !  how  I  hate  them. 

"  Puss  does  n't  hate  Lawrence  half  as  much  as  she 
thinks  she  does,"  exclaimed  Randolph  as  he  folded 
up  her  letter,  "  but  if  that  Captain  Middleton  is  n't 
careful,  I  will  have  a  bone  to  pick  with  him.  Cor- 
responding with  Lola,  is  he?  Now^  as  a  boy,  I  al- 
ways had  a  friendly  feeling  for  Lola.  Believe  she 
will  make  one  of  the  handsomest  girls  in  St.  Louis, 
and  what  a  kind  little  heart  she  has!  But  no  use 
worrying.  Time  enough  yet.  Lola  is  only  a  little 
girl,  and  for  me,  I  may  get  killed  before  this  blamed 
war  is  over." 

Randolph  now^  read  his  father's  letter  over  again, 
and  thought  no  more  of  Lola  or  Lawrence  but  only 
of  his  mother,  and  the  tears  came  into  his  eyes  as 
he  read. 

"Poor  mother!"  he  sighed.  "Gladly  would  I 
charge  to  the  cannon's  mouth,  if  I  could  but  see  her. 
Curse  this  war!  What  fools  we  are.  both  North 
and  South.     Killing  each  other,  and  for  what !  " 

Older  and  wiser  heads  than  Randolph's  often 
asked  that  question  during  the  war. 


276  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

Randolph  remained  in  deep  thought  for  some  time 
then  started  up,  exclaiming,  "  I  will  try  it." 

He  sought  an  interview  with  General  Price, 
showed  him  his  father's  letter  and  said,  "  General, 
in  all  probability  the  Federals  will  let  us  alone  until 
Spring.  Grant  me  a  furlough  to  go  to  St.  Louis 
to  see  my  mother." 

The  general  shook  his  head.  "  My  dear  Lieuten- 
ant, I  would  willingly  do  it,  if  St.  Louis  was  within 
our  lines,  but  I  cannot  send  one  of  my  best  officers 
into  the  enemy's  lines  to  be  caught  and  executed  as 
a  spy." 

""  I  know  there  are  many  passing  in  and  out  all 
the  time,"  replied  Randolph.  "  What  they  can  do, 
I  can  do.     Captain  Shelley  made  it  all  right." 

"  But  see  what  a  narrow  escape  he  had." 

"  That  is  because  he  went  on  a  dangerous  mission, 
and  then  foolishly  put  his  head  in  the  lion's  mouth, 
so  to  speak.  General,  as  you  loved  your  mother, 
grant  my  prayer.  I  will  return  a  better  and  braver 
soldier  than  I  am,  and  will  bless  you  till  the  end  of 
my  life." 

The  general  was  deeply  moved.  "  Go,  Lieuten- 
ant," he  said  in  a  husky  voice,  "  and  may  God  go 
with  you  and  bring  you  safely  back." 

Thanking  him  over  and  over,  Randolph  went  to 
make    hurried    preparations    for    his    journey    and 


EAXDOLFH  HAMILTON  277 

Started  the  next  day.  He  rode  a  splendid  horse  and 
made  good  time,  hut  dangers  lay  thick  before  hmi 
and  he  had  to  be  careful. 

He  nearly  lost  his  life  once.  A  guerilla  captain 
sought  to  trade  horses  with  him,  and  became  angry 
when  he  refused.  It  was  only  his  uniform  that 
saved  him. 

The  country  was  also  full  of  Federal  scouting 
parties  chasing  down  bands  of  guerillas,  and  from 
these  parties  he  had  many  close  escapes. 

As  he  neared  St.  Louis,  his  danger  became  greater, 
but  he  found  stanch  friends  who  guided  him,  and 
when  necessary  concealed  him.  At  last  he  came 
into  the  hands  of  those  who  conducted  the  under- 
ground railway,  and  one  dark  night  he  was  guided 
into  the  city,  and  up  to  the  door  of  his  father's 
house. 

He  halted  by  the  door  for  a  moment  with  a  beat- 
ing heart.  Glancing  upwards  he  saw  a  light  burn- 
ing in  his  mother's  room.  He  could  see  shadows  on 
the  curtains  as  the  inmates  passed  to  and  fro.  His 
heart  stood  still ;  it  was  late,  past  midnight.  Was 
his  mother  dead  or  dying? 

Mustering  up  courage  he  knocked  gently  on  the 
door.  As  light  as  the  rap  was,  the  door  was  at  once 
opened  by  a  gray-haired  negro,  one  who  had  been 
a  servant  in  the  familv  for  manv  vears.     A\'hen  he 


278  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

saw  Randolph  he  started  back  in  surprise,  and  his 
eyes  rolled  in  terror. 

''  Shut  the  door,  quick !  What  are  you  staring 
at?  Do  you  think  I'm  a  ghost?"  whispered 
Randolph. 

Then  the  old  negro  found  his  voice  and  raising  his 
hands  exclaimed,  "  Bless  de  Lawd !  It 's  Massa 
Randolph,  suah." 

"  Hush,  not  so  loud,"  said  Randolph.  "  How  is 
mother?  " 

"  Missy  bad,  pow-erful  bad.  Had  a  bad  spell  to- 
night. Doctah  went  away  a  little  while  ago.  Said 
he  would  be  bak.  Dat  's  de  reason  Tse  heah  by  de 
do'.  Reckon  Missy  goin'  to  die,"  and  the  tears 
streamed  down  the  cheeks  of  the  old  negro.  Then 
he  went  on,  "  Missy  want  to  see  yo'  powerful  bad. 
Keeps  callin'  for  Dolph,  her  honey  boy." 

Randolph  staggered  as  if  from  a  blow.  His 
mother  dying,  calling  for  him.  He  was  glad  he  had 
come.  A  score  of  bayonets  could  not  keep  him  from 
her  now.  A  dangling  noose  would  be  brushed  aside. 
By  a  great  effort  he  pulled  himself  together. 

"  Sam,  it  will  not  do  for  me  to  startle  mother. 
Can  you  get  me  to  my  old  room  without  anyone  see- 
ing me?  " 

"  Yes,  Massa  Dolph.  Room  jes  as  yo'  left  it. 
Missy  would  never  hab  anything  touched.     Said  she 


EAXlWLrn  HAMlI/rOX  279 

wanted  ebbery  thing  jest  as  it  was  when  yo'  went 
away." 

"  Does  she  go  into  the  room  often?  "  asked  Ran- 
dolph, his  voice  shaking. 

"Good  Lawd!  Yes.  Ebbry  day,  befo'  she  got 
sick,  an'  stay  in  a  long  time.  She  would  shut  the 
do'  and  more  dan  once  I  hab  heard  her  prayin'  an' 
cryin'  for  —  " 

*'  Stop!  I  can't  bear  it,"  cried  Randolph,  and  a 
great  sob  shook  him  from  head  to  foot.  Then  he 
cried  passionately,  ''Oh,  this  war!  This  war!  It 
is  not  we  who  are  in  the  field  that  suffer  most.  It  is 
those  who  stay  at  home,  weeping  and  praying." 

Controlling  himself  Randolph  sought  his  room. 
How^  familiar  everything  looked!  As  Sam  said,  it 
was  just  as  he  had  left  it.  It  seemed  as  if  he  had 
only  stepped  out  of  it  for  an  hour.  Even  a  gar- 
ment that  he  had  carelessly  thrown  across  the  back 
of  a  chair  was  left  as  it  was. 

Randolph  looked  around  with  swimming  eyes. 
He  began  to  realize  how  great  the  love  was  that  his 
mother  bore  him. 

"  Sam,  go  and  tell  father  there  is  some  one  here 
to  see  him.    Do  n't  tell  him  who  it  is." 

Sam  softly  went  to  the  door  of  the  sick  room,  and 
motioned  to  Mr.  Hamilton  who  was  sitting  by  his 
wife's  side. 


280  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

"  What  is  it,  Sam?  "  he  asked  as  he  came  out. 

"  Gent'man  in  Massa  Randolph's  room  want  to 
see  yo*." 

"  In  Randolph's  room,"  angrily  exclaimed  Mr. 
Hamilton.     "How  dare  you?" 

"  Massa,  he  would  go  thar,"  cried  the  trembling 
negro. 

"  My  God !  can  it  be  ?  "  he  gasped,  and  with  hasty 
steps  he  went  to  the  room,  and  in  a  moment  more 
father  and  son  were  locked  in  a  loving  embrace. 

"  My  son !  My  son !  How  did  you  come  ?  Oh ! 
this  is  too  good  to  believe,  but  —  " 

"But  what,  father?" 

"  The  danger!  The  danger!  " 

"  Let  us  not  think  of  that.     How  is  mother?  " 

"  Near  unto  death.  But  your  coming  may  save 
her  life.  The  doctor  said  if  she  could  see  you  it 
would  do  her  more  good  than  anything  he  could  do. 
She  had  a  bad  spell  this  evening,  but  she  is  resting 
easier  now.  The  doctor  said  he  would  drop  in 
again.  We  are  expecting  him  any  moment.  I  must 
hear  what  he  says  before  you  see  her.  Ah !  I  hear 
him  coming  now.  Wait  in  patience,  my  dear  boy, 
until  I  see  him." 

"  Will  it  be  safe  for  Doctor  Strong  to  know  I  am 
here?"  asked  Randolph.  "You  know  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  war  his  loyalty  was  somewhat 
doubted." 


RANDOLFH  HAMILTON  281 

'*  Perfectly  safe.  The  South  has  no  more  faith- 
ful son  now.  But  to  think  you  must  hide  as  a  crim- 
inal! It  embitters  the  joy  of  your  coming."  Thus 
saying,  his  father  went  out  leaving  Randolph  to  his 
own  reflections. 

Yes,  if  it  was  known  that  Randolph  Hamilton  was 
in  St.  Louis,  he  would  be  hunted  like  a  criminal, 
hunted  more  eagerly  than  a  red-handed  assassin. 

It  seemed  a  long  time  to  Randolph  before  his 
father  returned  bringing  the  doctor  with  him.  Dr. 
Strong,  an  elderly  man  with  a  kindly  face,  greeted 
Randolph  warmly. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  my  boy,"  he  exclaimed. 
"  Yet  I  fear  you  are  running  a  great  danger.  The 
Yankees  are  especially  vigilant  now,  and  keep  a 
sharp  lookout  for  any  Confederate  who  may  be 
smuggled  in." 

"  I  got  in  without  much  trouble,"  replied  Ran- 
dolph, ''  and  now  I  am  in,  all  I  have  to  do  is  to  lie 
low." 

"  And  low  it  should  be,"  said  the  doctor.  "  The 
fewer  who  know  you  are  here  the  better." 

"  Never  mind  me  now.  Doctor.  How  is  mother? 
Can  I  see  her?  Doctor,  I  must  see  her.  I  cannot 
wait."     Randolph's  plea  was  almost  a  wail. 

"  I  will  see.  I  will  see,"  replied  the  doctor. 
"  She  has  been  so  sick,  she  may  not  fully  realize  the 
danger  you  are  in,  and  take  your  being  here  as  a 


282  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

matter  of  course.  It  is  so  sometimes  with  sick  peo- 
ple. Your  coming  may  have  a  happy  effect  on  her. 
I  hope  so.  Be  patient.  I  will  go  now  and  see  if 
I  can  prepare  her  for  your  coming." 

Had  there  in  some  mysterious  way  been  com- 
municated to  the  mother  the  knowledge  that  her  son 
was  near?  It  would  almost  seem  so;  for  when  the 
doctor  spoke  to  her  she  opened  her  eyes  and  mur- 
mured, "  I  thought  Randolph  was  here.  I  must 
have  dreamed  it.     Why  do  n't  he  come?  " 

"Would  you  like  to  see  Randolph?"  asked  the 
doctor  kindly. 

"Yes,  yes,"  she  whispered.     "Where  is  he?" 

"  I  will  go  and  see  if  I  can  find  him,"  said  the 
doctor.  "  Now  try  and  sleep,  and  when  you  wake, 
perhaps  he  will  be  here." 

Mrs.  Hamilton  closed  her  eyes,  and  seemed  to  be 
content. 

The  doctor  returned  to  Randolph  and  found  him 
pacing  his  room  like  a  caged  lion.  To  his  look  of 
anxious  inquiry,  the  doctor  said,  "  Yes,  you  can 
see  her,  but  on  this  condition.  Show  no  feeling,  no 
excitement.  Meet  her  as  if  you  had  just  stepped  out 
of  the  room  and  returned.     Can  you  do  it?  " 

"  I  can  do  anything  so  I  can  look  on  her  face 
once  more." 

"  Then  come." 

Randolph  started  when  he  saw  the  wan  pale  face 


BANDOLPH  HA  MILTON  283 

of  his  mother.  She  lay  as  if  sleeping",  yet  so  still 
and  white  was  she,  it  might  well  have  been  taken 
for  the  sleep  of  death. 

Choking  back  a  sob  Randolph  by  a  powerful  etYort 
drew  himself  together.  The  doctor  motioned  him 
to  a  chair  standing  by  the  bed. 

Randolph  sat  down,  gently  taking  one  of  his 
mother's  hands  in  his.  She  opened  her  eyes  and 
saw  him  bending  over  her.  "  Is  that  you,  Dolph?  " 
she  whispered. 

"  Yes,  mother,"  and  he  kissed  her  hand. 

"  Have  n't  you  been  away  for  a  long  time,  Dolph  ? 
I  have  wanted  you  so." 

"  Not  so  very  long,  mother,  but  do  n't  try  to  talk. 
You  have  been  very  sick.     I  will  not  leave  you." 

The  mother  smiled,  closed  her  eyes  and  soon  was 
sleeping  quietly,  Randolph  still  holding  her  hand. 

The  doctor  turned  to  Mr.  Hamilton,  tears  glisten- 
ing in  his  eyes.  "  Thank  God,"  he  whispered. 
"  The  crisis  is  over.     She  will  live." 

A  great  joy  came  into  the  heart  of  Mr.  Hamilton, 
followed  by  the  terrible  thought,  what  if  the  boy 
has  given  his  life  for  his  mother. 

Dorothy  did  not  know  that  her  brother  had  re- 
turned until  morning,  and  when  she  learned  that 
not  only  was  her  mother  better,  and  would  live,  but 
that  Randolph  was  at  home,  she  nearly  went  wild 
with   joy.     Forgetting  her  lame   ankle   she   rushed 


284  TEE  JSCOVT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

into  her  brother's  arms,  crying  and  langliing  at  the 
same  time. 

After  the  greetings  were  over  and  things  had 
quieted  down,  Randolph  asked,  "  How  is  that  lame 
ankle,  Puss?  " 

"  Most  well,  thank  you.  See,"  and  Dorothy 
commenced  to  pirouette  around  the  floor,  but  with 
an  "  ouch  "  she  sank  into  a  chair. 

"  Must  have  twisted  it,"  she  moaned. 

"Does  it  hurt  much?"  asked  Randolph  sympa- 
thetically. 

"  It  did,  but  it  has  quit  now,"  replied  Dorothy. 

With  a  gleam  of  mischief  in  his  eyes,  Randolph 
said,  "  My,  that  must  have  made  you  think  of  Mid- 
dleton  strongly." 

"  What  do  you  mean?  "  cried  Dorothy,  flaring  up. 

"  Now  do  n't  get  mad.  Puss.  Did  n't  you  write 
me  that  every  time  your  ankle  gave  a  twinge  it  made 
you  think  of  Lawrence  Middleton?  " 

"  I  do  n't  want  to  hear  his  name  ever  again,"  al- 
most sobbed  Dorothy.  "  Why  could  n't  some  one 
else  have  dragged  me  from  under  the  horse?  Any 
man  with  a  particle  of  courage  would  have  done  it. 
He  just  happened  to  be  there,  that's  all.  If  he 
had  n't  been  there,  in  all  probability  some  other  man 
would  have  been,  and  I  only  wish  there  had." 

"  That 's  a  little  bit  ungenerous." 

"  I  do  n't  care  if  it  is.     I  only  wish  it  had  been 


E  AX  DO  LP  U   Ji  AM  I  WON  285 

Lola  Laselle  he  rescued.  Xo  doubt  she  would  have 
fallen  on  his  neck  and  kissed  him." 

"  Gee!  Do  n't  I  wish  that  could  happen  to  me.  i 
have  a  grudge  against  Middleton  myself,  he  is  get- 
ting too  thick  with  Lola." 

"  You  do  n't  mean  to  say  you  care  anything  for 
Lola  Laselle  ?  "  asked  Dorothy  in  astonishment. 

"Why  not?  She  is  a  mighty  fine  girl,  and  as 
pretty  as  you  are,  my  sister,"  replied  Randolph 
banteringly. 

"  Randolph,  you  are  fooling.  Do  n't  you  know 
her  sister  is  engaged  to  a  Yankee  major?  " 

'•  That  settles  it,"  laughed  Randolph.  "  To  think 
of  marrying  into  a  family  that  harbors  a  Yankee 
major.     Horrible!" 

"Horrible!  It's  treason  to  the  South,"  cried 
Dorothy,  "  and  Randolph,  if  you  ever  speak  to  that 
chit  of  a  Lola  Laselle,  I  will  disown  you  as  a 
brother." 

"  That 's  consoling,  but  do  n't  worry.  I  shall  not 
speak  to  her  this  time.  It 's  a  little  too  dangerous. 
I  suppose  I  will  have  to  leave  Middleton  a  clear 
field,"  and  Randolph  heaved  a  mock  sigh. 

As  if  to  change  the  subject,  Dorothy  suddenly 
asked.  "  Have  you  seen  Benton  Shelley  since  he  re- 
turned to  the  army?  " 

"  Ah !  I  forgot,"  said  Randolph,  "  Middleton  and 
Benton  met  in  single  combat  a  couple  of  weeks  ago." 


286  THE  SCOUT  OF  FEA  FJDGE 

Dorothy  turned  pale.  "  Was  —  was  either  of 
them  killed?  "  she  asked. 

Randolph  laughed  outright.  "  I  caught  you  tliat 
time,  my  sister.  Do  n't  want  Lawrence  killed  as 
bad  as  you  thought  you  did,  do  you?  " 

For  answer  Randolph  received  a  smart  slap  on  the 
cheek,  and  Dorothy  burst  out  crying.  "I  —  I  was 
thinking  of  Benton,"  she  sobbed. 

"  Well,  neither  one  was  killed,"  answered  Ran- 
dolph, and  he  gave  her  an  account  of  the  fight.  Then 
he  said,  "  There,  Dorothy,  I  am  sorry  I  teased  you. 
You  are  a  true  daughter  of  the  South,  and  I  am 
proud  of  you.  I  am  going  to  look  around  and  pick 
out  the  handsomest,  bravest,  and  most  gallant  officer 
in  the  Southern  army  for  you.  But  do  n't  think  of 
Benton  Shelley,  he  is  brave  enough,  but  I  do  n't  like 
him.  Let 's  see,  there  is  Edward  Middleton.  brave 
as  a  lion  and  as  gallant  a  gentleman  as  ever  drew 
sword.  If  this  war  continues  long  he  will  be  a  gen- 
eral. To  be  sure  he  is  older  than  you,  but  that 's 
nothing.  You  will  be  a  young  lady  before  the  war 
is  over.    Better  think  of  it,  Puss,  whenever  —  " 

"Whenever?"  asked  Dorothy. 

"  Whenever  that  ankle  gives  you  another  twinge 
and  makes  you  think  of  —  " 

Randolph  did  not  finish  the  sentence;  he  had  to 
dodge  to  escape  another  slap,  and  then  a  truce  was 
declared. 


CHAPTER  XX 

LOLA   TO    THE   RESCUE 

MRS.  Hamilton  continued  to  gain,  and  it  wa* 
with  joy  that  Randolph  saw  the  color  begin 
to  come  back  into  her  face.  But  as  she 
grew  better,  she  began  to  realize  the  danger  her  son 
was  in.  and  what  he  had  braved  that  he  might  see 
her.  She  begged  him  not  to  linger  longer.  It  was 
true  his  presence  was  known  to  few,  and  these  few 
stanch,  true  friends,  but  it  was  impossible  to  keep 
his  presence  unknown  to  the  servants.  Each  one 
was  sworn  to  secrecy,  and  the  most  dire  punishment 
threatened  if  they  ever  divulged  his  presence.  The 
family  rested  easy,  for  Randolph  was  a  favorite  with 
all  the  servants,  and  not  one  of  them  but  declared 
they  would  rather  die  than  do  anything  that  would 
harm  the  young  Massa.  But  it  was  destined  to  be 
otherwise. 

Dorothy  had  a  pretty  mulatto  girl  for  a  maid,  and 
the  maid  had  a  lover;  and  although  the  lover  had 
been  forbidden  the  house,  the  two  managed  to  meet. 
At  one  of  these  meetings  the  maid  boasted  she  knew 
a  great   secret   which    was   never   to   be   told.     Of 


288  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

course  the  lover  was  curious,  and  under  the  promise 
that  he  would  never  tell,  the  girl  told  him.  The 
lover  was  rather  a  bright  mulatto,  one  on  whom  the 
chains  of  slavery  rested  heavily.  He  believed  like 
most  of  his  race  that  a  victory  by  the  North  meant 
freedom;  therefore  he  lost  no  time  in  informing  a 
Federal  officer  of  what  he  had  been  told. 

Just  at  this  time,  also,  a  newspaper  published  a 
scare,  saying  that  it  had  reliable  information  that 
the  Confederate  amiies  at  Columbia,  Kentucky  and 
in  southeast  Missouri  were  to  move  up  the  Missis- 
sippi on  St.  Louis,  and  at  the  same  time  General 
Price  was  to  move  up  from  Springfield,  that  the 
two  armies  were  to  unite  and  capture  the  city.  Not 
only  this,  but  the  paper  stated  that  Confederate  offi- 
cers had  entered  the  city  in  disguise,  and  were  se- 
cretly organizing  the  disloyal  element,  so  as  to  help 
when  the  opportune  time  came,  and  it  behooved  the 
Federal  authorities  to  be  vigilant.  For  these  rea- 
sons the  story  of  the  mulatto  was  at  once  acted  upon. 

Randolph's  stay  in  the  city  was  necessarily  short, 
his  furlough  giving  him  only  two  weeks,  and  he  was 
to  start  back  the  next  day.  So  far  he  had  not  been 
out  of  the  house,  and  he  longed  to  walk  around  the 
city  and  see  what  was  going  on.  Both  his  father 
and  Dorothy  pleaded  with  him  not  to  incur  the 
danger. 

"  Father,   I  have  been  cooped  up  here   for  two 


LOLA    TO   TEE  HESCUE  289 

weeks,"  said  Randolph.  "  Do  let  me  get  a  breath 
of  fresh  air,  and  have  a  look  at  the  city.  I  want 
to  see  what  the  Yankees  are  doing.  The  day  is  cold 
and  disagreeable,  and  I  can  muffle  up,  so  no  one  will 
know  me." 

jMuch  against  his  better  judgment,  Mr.  Hamilton 
gave  his  consent.  Little  did  he  think  that  Ran- 
dolph's going  would  prove  his  salvation. 

He  had  been  gone  but  a  short  time,  when  to  the 
consternation  of  j\Ir.  Hamilton  a  body  of  Federal 
troops  appeared  and  fonned  a  cordon  around  the 
house. 

"  All  is  lost!  My  poor,  poor  boy!  "  he  groaned. 
Then  he  realized  that  Randolph  was  not  at  home, 
and  that  he  might  escape.  Surely  he  would  not  try 
to  enter  the  house  when  he  saw  the  soldiers.  The  of- 
ficer in  command  of  the  soldiers  was  now  thunder- 
ing at  the  door. 

yiv.  Hamilton  cautioned  the  servants  not  to  get 
excited,  go  about  their  duties  as  usual,  and  if  ques- 
tioned, deny  all  knowledge  of  Randolph. 

He  then  opened  the  door.  "  Good  day,  gentle- 
men," he  exclaimed  coolly.  "  May  I  ask  the  mean- 
ing of  this  intrusion?  " 

The  officer  was  somewhat  taken  aback  at  this 
coolness,  but  recovering  himself  quickly  said,  "  I  am 
sorry,  Mr.  Hamilton,  but  we  are  under  the  necessity 
of  searching  your  house.   We  have  reliable  informa- 


290  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

tion  that  your  son,  an  officer  in  Price's  anny,  is  in 
hiding  here.  Has  been  here  for  several  days  gath- 
ering information." 

Mr.  Hamilton  drew  himself  up  proudly.  "  H  my 
son  were  here  you  could  not  expect  me  to  give  any 
information,  but,  Thank  God!  he  is  not  here.  Of 
course  you  will  search  the  house." 

"  Certainly,"  replied  the  major. 

"  Then  I  have  one  request  to  make.  Search  as 
thoroughly  as  you  please,  but  as  quietly  as  possible. 
My  wife  has  been  very  sick,  and  any  excitement 
might  prove  fatal.  As  you  have  loved  ones  at  home 
do  not  let  her  chamber  be  invaded  by  a  squad  of 
noisy  soldiers,  and  let  me  go  to  her." 

"  That  room  may  be  the  very  one  we  wish  to 
search  the  most,"  replied  Major  Crosby,  "  but  I  will 
heed  your  request  all  that  I  possibly  can.  Here 
Lieutenant  Campbell,"  turning  to  a  young  officer, 
"  accompany  Mr.  Hamilton  to  the  chamber  of  his 
wife;  remain  there  and  see  that  no  one  enters  or 
leaves  the  room  until  I  come." 

Lieutenant  Campbell  saluted,  and  then  said  to  Mr. 
Hamilton,  "  Come.  Understand  you  are  to  go 
straight  to  your  wife's  chamber  and  remain  there." 

"  I  understand,"  replied  Mr.  Hamilton.  Then 
turning  to  Sam,  who  stood  by  open-mouthed  and 
trembling,  he  said,  "  Sam.  show  these  gentlemen 
through  the  house;  show  every  nook  and  corner. 


LOLA    TO   THE  RESCVE  291 

every  closet,  the  basenicnl.  let  not  a  place  where  a 
rat  can  hide  escape. 

"  I  am  ready  now,"  to  the  licntenant. 

Lieutenant  Campbell  had  a  sharp  eye,  but  his 
countenance  was  open  and  frank.  When  he  entered 
the  sick  chamber,  and  saw  the  pale  countenance  of 
Mrs.  Hamilton,  remembrance  of  his  own  mother 
flashed  through  his  mind.  He  would  treat  her  as 
he  would  have  his  own  mother  treated  in  like  cir- 
cumstances. 

As  Mr.  Hamilton  entered  he  gave  his  wife  a  l(Xjk 
which  meant  much.  "  Dear,  this  is  Lieutenant 
Campbell,  a  Federal  officer,  but  a  friend."  he  said. 
"  Do  not  be  alarmed,  he  will  remain  a  while.  I  will 
explain  later." 

Lieutenant  Campbell's  quick  eye  took  in  the  room. 
He  saw  there  was  no  possible  place  for  anyone  to 
hide,  and  he  withdrew  to  the  door.  Mr.  Hamilton 
talked  to  his  wife  to  allay  her  fears  and  afterwards 
wannly  thanked  the  lieutenant  for  his  courtesy. 

"  It 's  nothing,"  said  Campbell.  ''  All  Yankees 
are  not  l>easts." 

Mr.  Hamilton  looked  at  the  lieutenant  wonder- 
ingly.  "  You  called  yourself  a  Yankee,"  he  said, 
"  with  us  no  fouler  name  can  be  applied  to  a  man." 

The  lieutenant  smiled.  "  The  grandest  names  on 
the  pages  of  American  history,"  he  answered,  "  are 
names  of  Yankees.     I  am  proud  to  be  called  one," 


292  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

Mr.  Hamilton  did  not  answer.  To  him  it  was  al- 
most like  a  man  being  proud  of  having  African 
blood  in  his  veins. 

The  search  was  over,  and  of  course  fruitless  as 
far  as  finding  Randolph  was  concerned.  But  Major 
Crosby  said  to  Mr.  Hamilton,  "  I  shall  be  under  the 
necessity  of  leaving  a  guard  around  your  house. 
While  we  are  convinced  your  son  is  not  on  the  prem- 
ises, we  found  one  room  that  had  all  the  appearances 
of  being  lately  occupied,  and  that  by  a  man.  You 
or  any  inmate  of  the  house  are  forbidden  to  leave 
it  until  further  notice." 

Mr.  Hamilton  bowed  and  said,  "  As  you  please. 
Your  commands  shall  be  obeyed." 

While  the  father's  heart  was  full  of  fears,  he 
hoped  Randolph  would  see  the  guard,  and  not  try 
to  enter  the  house,  but  hardly  had  he  turned  and 
shut  the  door  when  a  great  hubbub  arose  in  the 
street.  He  heard  sharp  commands,  the  sounds  of 
running  feet,  the  shouts  of  the  multitude,  and  then 
two  or  three  shots  rang  out.  He  rushed  to  the 
door,  but  all  he  could  see  was  the  crowd  surging 
down  the  street,  and  he  was  quickly  ordered  to  shut 
the  door. 

Randolph  all  unconscious  of  what  was  occurring 
took  his  walk  around  the  city  without  interruption. 
He  kept  his  eyes  and  ears  open,  and  was  convinced 
that  the  Federals  were  in  mortal  dread  of  a  move- 


LOLA  TO   THE  BESCUE  293 

mcnt  being  made  on  the  city,  and  his  hopes  were 
high  that  their  fears  were  not  in  vain. 

After  walking  as  long  as  he  thought  prudent,  he 
started  to  return,  but  as  he  neared  home  he  was 
startled  to  see  a  crowd  in  the  street  and  to  his  dis- 
may saw  the  house  was  surrounded  by  soldiers.  His 
heart  gave  a  great  bound,  his  enemies  were  after 
him;  in  some  way  it  had  become  known  he  was  in 
the  city.  Then  a  feeling  of  exultation  came  over 
him,  his  walk  had  saved  him.  What  safer  thinsr 
could  he  do  than  to  mingle  with  the  crowd  and  look 
on?  Muffled  up  as  he  was,  he  did  not  believe  he 
could  be  recognized,  and  he  would  have  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  his  enemies  baffled.  He  chuckled 
to  himself  when  he  saw  the  soldiers  leaving,  but  the 
smile  died  when  he  saw  a  guard  was  being  left 
around  the  house.  He  would  now  have  to  go  with- 
out seeing  his  mother  again,  and  with  a  heavy  heart 
he  turned  away. 

It  was  now  common  talk  among  the  spectators 
that  it  was  Randolph  Hamilton  the  soldiers  were 
seeking,  and  they,  being  mostly  Southern  sympa- 
thizers, were  not  backward  in  expressing  their  joy 
over  the  fact  he  was  not  found.  But  Randolph  did 
not  make  himself  known,  and  began  to  make  his  way 
out  of  the  crowd. 

Mingling  with  the  throng  was  a  little  colored  boy, 
a  slave  of  a  near  neighbor  of  Mr.  Hamilton's.     As 


294  THE  scour  OF  FEA  RIDGE 

Randolph  Uirned  to  go  his  sharp  eyes  caught  a 
ghmpse  of  his  face.  Hearing  the  people  saying  it 
was  Randolph  Hamilton  the  soldiers  wanted,  and 
hardly  realizing  what  he  was  doing,  he  pointed  to 
Randolph  crying,  "  Massa  Dolph  Hamilton?  Why, 
dar  he  be." 

Hardly  were  the  words  out  of  his  mouth  when  he 
was  seized  by  the  collar  and  hurled  to  the  pavement 
with  such  force  that  he  lay  senseless.  But  the  mis- 
chief had  been  done.  There  were  Union  men  in  the 
crowd  as  well  as  secessionists,  and  they  attempted 
to  hold  Randolph  but  were  hurled  back  by  his 
friends. 

The  soldiers  had  heard,  and  with  fixed  bayonets 
charged  through  the  crowd,  scattering  it  right  and 
left,  and  with  exultant  shouts  pursued  the  fugitive. 
At  first  they  did  not  fire  on  account  of  the  crowd, 
but  soon  began  shooting. 

Randolph  had  the  advantage  of  knowing  every 
inch  of  the  ground,  and  he  dodged  across  yards  and 
through  alleys,  but  close  behind  came  the  soldiers. 
His  breath  began  to  come  in  gasps,  he  felt  he  must 
soon  find  refuge  or  all  would  be  over.  He  turned 
into  another  street,  when  suddenly  about  a  block  in 
front  of  him  appeared  a  file  of  soldiers.  There 
seemed  no  way  of  escape.  Like  a  hunted  hare  he 
glanced  around  and  saw  he  was  in  front  of  the  home 
of  Mr.  Rockwell  Laselle.     Well  did  he  know  the 


LOLA    TO   THE  RESCUE  295 

place.  J\Ir.  Laselle's  son  Leon  was  his  favorite 
childish  i)laymale,  the  closest  friend  of  his  boyhood, 
but  the  war  had  severed  the  friendship. 

Air.  Laselle's  lot  ran  through  to  the  next  street, 
where  it  was  protected  by  a  brick  wall,  surmounted 
by  iron  pickets.  But  Randolph  knew  that  during 
the  day  the  gate  was  usually  left  open.  It  was  his 
only  hope,  and  he  dodged  into  the  yard  and  around 
the  house.  His  heart  stood  still,  the  gate  was  shut, 
probably  locked.  Just  then  the  rear  door  opened 
and  Lola  came  out.  Randolph  saw  her  and  like  a 
drowning  man  grasping  at  a  straw  cried,  "  Lola, 
save  me !    For  God's  sake,  save  me !  " 

The  girl  scarcely  comprehended,  but  she  knew 
Randolph  was  in  some  great  danger.  She  forgot 
there  was  a  war,  that  a  great  gulf  had  sprung  up 
between  them,  that  Randolph's  sister  looked  upon 
her  with  contempt ;  she  only  remembered  that  Ran- 
dolph was  her  childhood  playmate,  her  boyish  ad- 
mirer, the  friend  of  her  brother. 

Quick  as  a  flash  she  opened  the  door  and  Ran- 
dolph dashed  in.  She  closed  and  locked  the  door, 
none  too  quickly  for  the  soldiers  were  already  pour- 
ing around  the  house. 

Just  at  this  time  Mrs.  Laselle  and  daughter  Elsie 
drove  up  to  the  rear  gate,  and  the  footman  threw  it 
open,  they  driving  into  the  yard  just  as  the  soldiers 
came  around  the  house. 


296  THE  scour  OF  FEA  FIDGE 

Mrs.  Laselle  much  amazed,  demanded  the  mean- 
ing of  the  intrusion.  Now  it  happened  that  Major 
Crosby,  who  was  in  the  command  of  the  soldiers, 
was  the  accepted  lover  of  Elsie  Laselle.  He  would 
rather  lose  his  right  hand  than  offend  mother  or 
daughter,  and  it  took  him  some  little  time  to  ex- 
plain the  situation. 

Meantime  Lola  stood  in  the  house,  thinking  hard. 
She  heard  the  soldiers,  then  the  coming  of  her 
mother  and  sister  and  knew  that  in  a  moment  her 
mother  would  demand  admittance.  Turning  to 
Randolph  she  said,  "  Go  to  Leon's  room.  You 
know  the  way." 

Randolph  lost  no  time  in  obeying,  for  j\Irs.  La- 
selle was  already  knocking  on  the  door,  demanding 
admittance.  Lola  unlocked  the  door  and  Mrs.  La- 
selle's  first  words  were,  "  Why  is  the  door  locked  ? 
Where  is  Dinah  or  Jennie?  " 

She  stopped  suddenly  and  looked  at  Lola.  The 
girl  was  pale  as  death,  and  trembling  like  a  leaf. 
"What  is  it,  mother?  What  is  the  matter?"  she 
gasped.  "  Dinah  and  Jennie  are  both  out,  and  I 
was  afraid,  so  afraid,"  and  Lola  threw  herself  into 
her  mother's  arms. 

**  Poor  child."  said  her  mother  kissing  her,  "  she 
is  nearly  frightened  to  death.     No  wonder." 

All  traces  of  Randolph  were  lost.  It  looked  as 
if  he  must  have  in  some  way  got  into  the  house. 


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She  closed  and  lucked  the  door,  none  too  quickly 


LOLA    TO   THE  FESCUE  297 

Lola  was  questioned,  hut  her  only  answer  was, 
"  How  could  he  when  the  door  was  locked?  " 

Major  Crosby  was  loath  to  search  the  house;  he 
feared  he  might  offend,  but  he  gently  broached  the 
subject  to  Mrs.  Laselle,  asking  if  he  might  put  a 
guard  around  the  house,  and  a^\•ait  the  return  of 
Mr.   Laselle. 

Yes,  she  was  willing. 

The  guard  was  placed,  but  ]\Lajor  Crosby  did  not 
give  up  the  search.  The  whole  neighborhood  was 
scoured,  but  of  course  without  results.  So  the  ma- 
jor went  away,  leaving  a  guard  and  saying  he  would 
be  back  at  eight  o'clock. 

\\'hen  ]\Ir.  Laselle  returned  home  he  was  greatly 
astonished  to  find  the  house  guarded,  and  still  more 
so  when  he  learned  what  had  occurred.  He  laughed 
at  the  idea  of  any  one  being  concealed  in  the  house, 
especially  as  Lola  said  all  the  doors  were  locked, 
but  when  he  knew  it  was  Randolph  Hamilton  the 
soldiers  were  after  he  looked  grave  and  seemed  to 
be  troubled. 

At  eight  o'clock  Major  Crosby  returned,  and  re- 
ported not  a  single  trace  of  the  fugitive  could  be 
found,  so  there  was  nothing  left  but  to  search  the 
house. 

Lola  heard  of  the  contemplated  search,  and  her 
heart  stood  still.  What  could  she  do?  She  thought 
of  a  dozen  things,  and  dismissed  each  as  not  feasible. 


208  THE  SCOUT  OF  FEA  EIDGE 

At  last  she  thought  of  Dinah,  the  cook.  She  had 
returned  from  her  afternoon  out,  and  was  as  much 
surprised  as  anyone  over  what  had  occurred.  She 
had  been  in  the  family  for  years,  and  Lola  was  to 
her  her  blessed  child.  She  would  have  given  her 
heart's  blood  for  Lola  and  counted  it  a  joy. 

To  Dinah  Lola  took  her  trouble  and  sobbed,  "  Oh ! 
Dinah,  it 's  Randolph.  They  will  hang  him  if  they 
get  him." 

"Hang  Massa  Dolph?"  cried  Dinah.  "It's 
many  a  cookie  I  hab  made  fur  him,  bress  his  heart. 
I  tell  you,  honey,  yo'  watch  yo'  chance  an*  bring 
Massa  Dolph  to  my  room.  I  like  to  see  dat  sojer 
who  dare  sarch  Dinah's  room." 

*' Do  you  mean  it?"  asked  Lola  with  open  eyes. 

"  Suah,  honey,  I  mean  it.  Watch  yo'  chance  an' 
get  him  heah  quick." 

The  chance  was  now,  for  the  whole  family  was 
in  the  parlor  talking  with  Major  Crosby.  Lightly 
the  girl  ran  to  the  room  where  Randolph  was  and 
explained  the  situation  to  him. 

"  God  bless  you,  Lola,"  said  Randolph  swallow- 
ing a  great  lump  in  his  throat.  "  I  '11  never  forget 
you,"  and  taking  her  hand  he  raised  it  to  his  lips 
and  kissed  it  as  reverently  as  if  it  had  been  the  hand 
of  a  queen. 

Lola  blushed  scarlet.  "  Do  n't,  Dolph,  do  n't. 
You  know  I  could  n't  see  you  hung,"  she  murmured. 


LOLA    TO   THE  HESCUE  299 

Conducting  him  down  the  back  way,  Lola  placed 
l)im  in  the  hands  of  Dinah  and  fled  to  the  parlor  for 
fear  her  absence  might  be  noticed. 

*'  Come,  chile,"  said  Dinah  to  Randolph  as  she  led 
the  way  to  her  room.  "  In  the  closet  dar,  an'  do  n't 
yo'  dare  make  a  noise." 

Randolph  stepped  into  the  closet  and  Dinah 
pushed  him  into  a  corner  and  hung  some  old  clothes 
in  front  of  him,  and  piled  some  old  trumpery  around 
his  feet.  "  Dar,  yo'  stay  dar  till  Dinah  tell  yo'  to 
come  out,"  she  exclaimed. 

By  this  time  Major  Crosby  had  called  in  a  squad 
of  soldiers  and  the  house  was  being  searched  from 
top  to  bottom.  While  the  search  was  going  on,  Lola's 
heart  beat  like  a  trip-hammer.  But  at  last  the 
search  was  over,  and  nothing  discovered. 

"  It 's  queer  where  that  fellow  could  have  gone," 
said  the  major.     "  Have  we  searched  every  room?  " 

"  Every  room,"  replied  Mr.  Laselle.  "  Hold  on, 
there  is  Dinah's  room.  Dinah  is  an  old  servant  and 
our  cook.  It 's  not  possible  he  is  there,  for  Dinah 
was  away  and  she  keeps  her  door  locked.  Dinah 
is  a  crank  on  that  subject.  Her  room  is  her  castle, 
and  even  her  mistress  approaches  it  with  care.  Still 
we  had  better  look  in." 

Lola  heard  this  and  grew  faint.  It  was  well  that 
all  were  so  intent  on  the  search  that  her  agitation 
was  not  noticed. 


300  TUE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

Dinah  was  in  her  room  and  the  door  locked.  Mr. 
Laselle  rapped  gently. 

"  Who  's  dar?  "  asked  Dinah  in  a  gruff  voice. 

"  Your  master,  Dinah.     Open  the  door." 

"  De  good  Lawd,  Massa,  I'se  jes'  goin'  to  bed." 

"  Never  mind,  Dinah,  sHp  on  your  clothes  and 
open  the  door.     I  must  see  you." 

With  much  grumbling  Dinah  was  heard  bustling 
around,  but  at  last  the  door  was  opened.  When 
she  saw  the  soldiers  she  started  back  as  if  in 
amazement. 

"  What  da'  heah  f o'  ?  What  the  sojer  man  heah 
fo?  Ole  Dinah  hain't  done  nothun,"  she  cried 
shrilly. 

"  Of  course  not,  Dinah,"  answered  Mr.  Laselle. 
"  Do  n't  be  frightened.  You  know  that  Rebel  spy. 
Well,  Major  Crosby  thinks  he  might  in  some  way 
have  slipped  into  the  house,  and  taken  shelter  in 
your  room." 

"  What  da'  yo'  say  ? "  cried  Dinah  in  apparent 
terror.  "  White  man  in  ma'  room  an'  me  goin' 
to  bed.  Oh,  Lawd,  Lawd !  whar  will  Dinah's 
krack'ter  be  ?  "  She  sank  into  a  chair,  threw  her 
apron  over  her  head  and  sobbed  violently,  rocking 
back  and  forth. 

Major  Crosby  and  his  men  simply  doubled  up 
with  laughter. 

"  There,  there,  Dinah,"  said  Mr.  Laselle  sooth- 


LOLA    TO   THE  lUiSCUE  301 

ingly.  "  This  is  nothing  against  your  character. 
Every  room  —  ,"  l)iit  he  got  no  fartlier. 

"  ^\\s,  it  be,"  wailed  Dinah  rocking  more  vigor- 
ously. "  Yo'  jes  'spected  ole  Dinah  of  habing  white 
man  in  her  room,  an'  me  a  Methody  fo'  forty  years. 
AMiat  will  Passim  Johnsing  say?"  and  she  wailed 
louder  than  ever. 

"  It  is  evident  there  is  no  one  here,"  said  Mr. 
Laselle.  "  I  simply  showed  you  the  room  so  you 
could  be  certain  of  searching  the  whole  house." 

"  I  am  satisfied,"  replied  the  major,  still  holding 
his  sides. 

"  There.  Dinah,  we  are  going,"  said  Mr.  Laselle. 
"  You  are  all  right,  and  if  I  were  in  your  place  I 
should  say  nothing  to  Parson  Johnson  about  it. 
Major  Crosby  simply  had  to  do  his  duty." 

No  sooner  were  they  gone,  than  Dinah  took  her 
apron  from  her  face  and  laughed  as  heartily  as  she 
had  pretended  to  cry.  "  Fool  'em  dat  time,"  she 
gurgled. 

Major  Crosby  now  ordered  the  guard  around  the 
house  to  be  withdrawn,  and  for  himself  was  not 
slow  in  accepting  an  invitation  to  stay  a  while.  He 
v.-as  profuse  in  his  apologies,  but  Mr.  Laselle 
stopped  him  saying,  "  Now  that  it  is  all  over.  Ma- 
jor, I  can  truly  say  I  am  glad  you  did  not  find  the 
young  man.  I  know  Randolph  well  and  a  fine  fel- 
low he  is.     I  suppose  if  he  had  been  caught  he  would 


302  THF  SCOUT  OF  FEA  BIDGE 

have  been  considered  a  spy.  I  am  sure  he  is  no  spy. 
His  mother  has  been  lying  at  the  point  of  death,  and 
no  doubt  he  stole  into  the  city  to  see  her." 

"  If  that  is  the  case,"  replied  the  major,  "  I  do  n't 
think  I  will  worry  much  over  his  escape." 

If  Lola  could  have  heard  this  she  w^ould  have 
felt  much  better,  but  pleading  a  headache,  she  had 
gone  to  her  room.  She  was  glad  Randolph  had 
escaped,  but  her  conscience  troubled  her.  It  was  the 
first  time  she  had  ever  deceived  her  parents,  and  she 
thought  she  must  be  a  very  wicked  girl.  What 
made  it  worse,  she  could  not  feel  sorry  for  wdiat  she 
had  done.  It  was  little  sleep  she  got  that  night,  and 
in  the  morning  she  had  a  headache  in  earnest. 

"  It  was  the  excitement  of  last  night,"  said  her 
mother.  "  No  wonder,  here  all  alone,  and  all  that 
hullabaloo." 

Her  mother's  pity  did  not  ease  the  girl's  troubled 
conscience  and  she  decided  to  write  to  Lawrence. 
She  just  had  to  tell  somebody. 

"  I  just  could  n't  help  it,"  she  wrote.  "  To  think 
that  if  they  caught  Randolph  they  would  hang  him 
made  me  wild.  I  feel  awful  sorry  about  deceiving 
papa  and  mamma,  but  I  am  not  sorry  for  what  I 
have  done.  I  would  do  it  right  over  again  if  I  had 
to." 

It  was  this  letter  which  so  surprised  Lawrence, 
and  he  made  haste  to  answer  it. 


LOLA    TO  THE  RESCUE  303 

Three  or  four  days  a  tier  the  escape  of  Randolph 
Lola  met  Dorothy  on  the  street.  She  was  about  to 
pass  her  as  usual  with  head  high,  when  to  her  sur- 
prise Dorothy  caught  her  by  the  arm  and  whispered, 
"  Come,  walk  with  me.  I  want  to  tell  you 
something." 

"  I  have  n't  changed  my  colors,"  replied  Lola  a 
little  sharply,  for  the  way  Dorothy  had  snubbed  her 
rankled. 

"  I  know,"  replied  Dorothy,  "  and  I  do  n't  care. 
Yell  for  your  old  Union  all  you  want  to,  and  I  will 
yell  for  Jeff  Davis;  but  let 's  be  friends  again.  Lola, 
dear  Lola,  forgive  me  for  the  way  I  have  treated 
you.  Father  says  you  are  the  bravest  girl  in  St. 
Louis." 

"Who  told  you  about  it?"  asked  Lola.  "Did 
Randolph  come  home?  " 

"  No,  he  dare  not,  but  he  wrote  a  long  letter  which 
we  got,  and  told  all  about  it.  I  tell  you  he  praised 
you.  He  wrote  you  a  letter  too,  here  it  is,"  and  she 
slipped  a  letter  in  Lola's  hand. 

The  girls  then  talked  over  their  differences,  and 
concluded  to  be  good  friends  again,  even  if  one  was 
L^nion  and  the  other  "  Secesh." 

It  would  have  been  better  for  the  country  if  older 
people  had  come  to  the  same  conclusions. 

As  soon  as  Lola  got  home  she  went  to  her  room 
to  read  Randolph's  letter.     As  she  read  her  cheeks 


304  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

grew  rosy,  and  her  breath  came  quicker  for  Ran- 
dolph was  rather  extravagant  in  his  praise. 

In  due  time  a  letter  came  from  Lawrence  in  an- 
swer to  her  own.  It  was  rather  a  bulky  one,  and 
when  she  opened  it  she  found  it  was  really  two  let- 
ters. One  was  written  in  his  usual  way,  telling  of 
his  experiences  in  camp  and  on  march,  and  which 
the  whole  family  enjoyed  with  Lola,  for  Lawrence 
was  an  interesting  letter  writer.  The  other  en- 
closure was  marked  "  Private." 

Lola  hastily  concealed  it,  and  at  the  first  oppor- 
tunity went  to  her  room  to  read  it.  Her  heart  beat 
fast,  for  what  would  Lawrence  say?  As  she  read, 
her  face  lighted  up,  and  a  happy  laugh  escaped  her. 
Lawrence  approved  of  what  she  had  done ;  in  fact 
praised  her  almost  as  extravagantly  as  Randolph 
had.  But  when  she  read  the  close  of  the  letter  her 
countenance  fell  a  little,  for  he  wrote :  "  At  the  time 
you  could  not  have  done  differently,  it  would  not 
have  done  to  have  told  your  father  while  the  sol- 
diers were  searching  for  Randolph.  But  when  it 
was  over  and  Randolph  safe,  you  should  have  told 
him.  Tell  him  now,  Lola,  and  that  conscience  will 
not  trouble  you,  for  I  see  by  your  letter  that  it  does." 

With  many  misgivings  Lola  concluded  to  take 
Lawrence's  advice  and  went  to  her  father  and  con- 
fessed all. 

Mr.  Laselle  was  astonished,  but  to  Lola's  surprise 


LOLA   TO   THE  EESCUE  305 

she  was  not  scolded.  Instead  her  father  kissed  her 
and  said,  "  Lola,  I  am  glad,  very  glad  you  told  me, 
but  do  not  tell  anyone  else.  Let  it  be  a  secret  be- 
tween us.  And,  Lola,  I  will  tell  you  my  secret  now. 
I  am  very,  very  glad  Randolph  got  away.  But  that 
Dinah !  So  Randolph  was  in  her  room  all  the  time. 
Well,  I  reckon  her  '  krack  'ter '  will  never  suffer 
for  it."  and  Mr.  Laselle  laughed  until  the  tears  ran 
down  his  cheeks. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

A    RACE    FOR   LIFE 

IT  is  remarkable  what  General  Halleck  accom- 
plished in  a  few  weeks  after  he  took  command. 
He  found  an  araiy  discouraged  and  dissatisfied, 
a  number  of  the  regiments  mutinous.  Emissaries 
had  gone  among  the  German  regiments,  and  told 
them  that  if  they  would  not  obey  the  commands  of 
General  Halleck,  either  Fremont  would  be  restored 
or  Sigel  given  the  command.  But  the  discontented 
soon  found  that  Halleck  \\as  a  general  who  would 
see  that  his  orders  were  obeyed. 

The  Charcoals  and  Conservatives  were  also  mak- 
ing the  days  wearisome  for  the  general,  each  fac- 
tion claiming  that  they  represented  the  Union  senti- 
ment of  the  State. 

Added  to  Halleck's  other  troubles  was  the  ever 
present  negro  question.  He  was  savagely  attacked 
by  the  German  papers  saying  he  was  sending  the 
slaves  of  disloyal  masters  back  into  captivity. 

Halleck  was  not  the  only  one  having  trouble  with 
the  negro  question.  Lincoln's  course  during  the  first 
years   of   the   war   in    refusing   to    free   the   slaves 

306 


A  RACE  FOR  LIFE  307 

brought  down  upon  Iiini  the  wrath  of  thousands  of 
people. 

It  was  in  answer  to  a  letter  from  Horace  Greeley, 
saying  that  if  he  would  free  the  slaves,  twenty  mil- 
lion people  would  applaud  him,  that  Lincoln  wrote 
that  memorable  answer: 

"  If  I  can  save  the  Union  by  not  freeing  the  slaves, 
I  shall  not  free  them;  if  I  can  save  the  Union  by 
freeing  half  the  slaves,  I  shall  free  them;  if  it  be- 
comes necessary  to  free  all  of  the  slaves  in  order  to 
save  the  Union,  I  shall  free  them." 

This  answer  shows  the  preservation  of  the  Union 
was  the  great,  the  burning  question  with  Lincoln; 
all  other  questions  were  subsidiary  to  that. 

Like  Lincoln,  Halleck  did  not  let  popular  clamor 
influence  him  and  firmly  pursued  the  course  he  had 
marked  out.  He  quickly  saw  the  great  mistake  that 
had  been  made  in  falling  back  from  Springfield  and 
at  once  took  measures  to  rectify  it.  He  reorganized 
the  army  in  the  field,  calling  it  the  Army  of  the 
Southwest,  and  placed  it  in  command  of  General 
Samuel  R.  Curtis.  Curtis  was  a  West  Point  gradu- 
ate, but  for  years  had  been  in  private  life.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  war  he  organized  the  Second 
lovi^a,  and  went  out  as  its  colonel.  After  events 
showed  that  Halleck  had  made  no  mistake  in  giving 
him  command  of  the  army. 

By  the  middle  of  January  the  army  was  ready  to 


308  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

advance.  General  Price  was  resting  in  fancied  se- 
curity, in  his  winter  quarters  at  Springfield  with  a 
diminished  army,  but  with  the  fond  hope  that  Mc- 
Culloch  would  join  him  in  the  spring  and  help  him 
save  the  State. 

The  news  of  tlie  advance  was  received  with  hilari- 
ous joy  by  the  Union  soldiers.  The  Winter  of  1861- 
62  was  a  very  severe  one  in  Missouri.  The  roads 
were  rough  and  frozen,  and  when  thawed  became 
quagmires.  The  rivers  and  streams,  many  of  which 
had  to  be  forded,  were  filled  with  floating  ice.  But 
nothing  daunted  the  brave  hearts  of  the  soldiers; 
their  faces  were  turned  towards  the  South,  it  was 
all  they  asked. 

In  vain  the  snow  buffeted  them,  or,  what  was 
worse,  icy  rains  beat  upon  them,  they  pressed  forward 
without  murmur  or  complaint.  They  were  after  Pap 
Price;  they  had  many  an  old  score  to  settle  with 
him  and  ached  for  an  opportunity.  Back  over  the 
dreary  miles  they  had  already  traversed  four  times 
they  marched  with  hearts  full  of  hope. 

Price,  thinking  it  was  impossible  for  the  Federal 
army  to  move  in  such  weather  and  over  such  roads, 
was  resting  easy,  but  he  received  a  rude  awakening, 
and  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  leaving  a  large  amount  of 
stores  behind  him. 

Springfield  was  occupied  on  February  thirteenth 


A  RACE  FOE  LIFE  309 

and  the  Stars  and  Stripes  for  the  third  time  floated 
over  the  court  house. 

To  no  soldiers  did  the  news  of  an  advance  come 
more  welcome  than  to  Lawrence's  troop.  The 
Scouts  were  made  a  part  of  Major  Bowen's  com- 
mand, which  had  the  advance.  When  Springfield 
was  reached,  it  was  rumored  that  General  Price  with 
his  whole  army  was  on  the  old  battle  ground  of  Wil- 
son Creek,  and  was  there  to  make  a  stand  and  give 
battle. 

To  ascertain  the  truth  the  Scouts  were  ordered  to 
make  a  reconnaissance.  They  did  so,  but  found  no 
enemy.  As  Lawrence  looked  over  the  battle  field 
all  that  happened  that  eventful  day  came  thronging 
to  his  mind.  Here  was  where  Lyon  fell.  Lawrence 
stood  on  the  sacred  spot,  and  his  tears  fell  thick  and 
fast,  as  he  thought  of  his  beloved  chieftain.  He 
found  the  place  where  he  fell  when  the  bullet  from 
the  pistol  of  Benton  Shelley  came  so  near  ending  his 
career.  Xear  by  in  a  bramble  lay  a  grinning  skull. 
Lawrence  shuddered  as  he  looked  at  it.  The  hill 
now  lay  bleak  and  the  leafless  trees  and  bushes 
showed  the  awful  effects  of  the  iron  and  leaden 
tempest  which  swept  against  them.  With  a  sinking 
heart  Lawrence  noticed  that  amid  the  scrub  and 
bushes,  the  bones  of  many  of  the  soldiers  who  had 
fallen  lay  bleaching.     Uncofifined  and  unburied  they 


310  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

lay  where  they  fell,  a  part  of  the  unknown  dead,  who 
gave  their  lives  for  their  country. 

General  Curtis  made  but  a  short  stop  at  Spring- 
field, only  long  enough  to  concentrate  his  army,  and 
then  he  pushed  on  after  the  fleeing  enemy.  There 
was  to  be  no  backward  step  this  time.  Price  must 
give  battle,  or  leave  the  State. 

Bowen's  command  was  still  in  advance,  and  after 
leaving  Springfield  it  was  almost  a  continual  skir- 
mish with  the  rear  guard  of  Price's  army,  and  the 
Scouts  found  plenty  to  do.  At  Sugar  Creek  just 
before  the  Arkansas  line  was  reached,  the  Confed- 
erates made  quite  a  determined  stand.  The  Scouts, 
however,  charged,  scattering  them,  and  taking  quite 
a  number  of  prisoners. 

Among  the  prisoners  to  Lawrence's  surprise  was 
Dickey  Holbrook.  When  Dickey  saw  Lawrence  he 
suddenly  drew  his  hat  over  his  face  and  drew  back 
behind  the  other  prisoners,  but  it  was  no  use.  Rid- 
ing up  to  him  Lawrence  said,  "  Hello,  Dickey,  you 
do  n't  seem  glad  to  see  me."  Dickey  stood  silent, 
trembling  with  fear.  Lawrence  continued  merci- 
lessly, "  You  do  n't  expect  to  be  treated  as  a  pris- 
oner of  war,  do  you,  Dickey?  Why  should  I  not 
take  you  and  have  you  hanged  at  once?  " 

Then  Dickey  found  his  tongue.  How  he  begged 
for  his  life ;  he  fairly  grovelled  in  the  dust.  Great 
drops  of  sweat  ran  down  his  cheeks,  and  his  face  was 


A  BACE  FOB  LIFE  311 

ghastly.  Lawrence  looked  at  him  a  moment  in  con- 
tempt, then  said  to  the  guards,  "  Take  him  back  with 
the  other  prisoners.    I  will  attend  to  his  case  later." 

The  next  day  Law-rence  went  on  a  scout  and  was 
gone  two  days,  and  when  he  returned  he  learned 
Dickey  had  escaped.  "  Of  all  the  slippery  fellows!  " 
exclaimed  Lawrence.  "  He  is  as  hard  to  hold  as  a 
greased  pig.  But  if  I  get  him  again,  I  will  see  he 
does  n't  get  away." 

At  Cross  Hollows,  which  is  just  over  the  Missouri 
line  in  Arkansas,  it  was  expected  that  Price  and 
McCulloch  would  make  a  desperate  stand,  but  the 
position,  which  naturally  was  a  very  strong  one,  w^as 
evacuated  after  a  slight  skimiish.  The  cavalry 
pushed  on,  and  captured  both  Bentonville  and  Fay- 
etteville,  important  towns  in  Northwestern  Arkansas. 

Price  had  been  driven  not  only  from  Missouri, 
but  from  N'orthw^estern  Arkansas  as  well.  Though 
the  success  of  General  Curtis  had  been  great,  the  ob- 
ject of  his  campaign  had  not  been  achieved, —  the  de- 
feat and  destruction  of  Price's  army.  That  army, 
still  intact,  was  hidden  away  among  the  Boston 
mountains,  ready  to  make  a  tiger-like  spring  at  the 
first  opportunity. 

It  was  imperative  for  General  Curtis  to  find  out 
wdiat  was  going  on  among  those  mountains,  and  the 
dangerous  duty  was  given  to  Lawrence  and  his 
Scouts.     During  the  advance  the  Scouts  had  per- 


312  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  mDGE 

formed  the  most  valuable  service,  and  General  Cur- 
tis had  come  to  rely  upon  them  for  most  of  his 
secret  information.  Always  in  front,  or  on  the 
flanks  of  the  army,  they  met  with  many  exciting  ad- 
ventures, breaking  up  guerilla  bands  and  capturing 
stragglers  from  Price's  army. 

Much  of  the  scouting  was  done  at  night  and  much 
was  done  that  could  not  have  been  done,  if  it  were 
not  for  the  dog,  Bruno.  He  seemed  to  fully  under- 
stand that  his  duty  was  to  hunt  men  instead  of 
birds  or  animals,  and  well  did  he  perform  it.  More 
than  once  he  saved  the  Scouts  from  being  surprised, 
or  of  running  into  some  trap  which  had  been  set 
for  them.  So  valuable  had  the  dog  become  that 
Lawrence  would  have  as  soon  thought  of  going  on  a 
scout  without  ammunition  as  without  Bruno. 

Lawrence  knew  he  was  now  called  upon  to  ren- 
der a  service  which  might  mean  death,  but  neither 
he  nor  a  single  one  of  his  men  hesitated.  All  were 
ready  and  eager  to  undertake  the  service. 

The  plan  was  to  ride  as  near  the  Boston  moun- 
tains as  prudent,  then  wait  for  night  and  push  on. 
If  parties  of  the  enemy  were  met  they  hoped  in  the 
darkness  they  could  pass  themselves  off  as  Confed- 
erates. If  discovered,  a  fight  and  a  flight  would  be 
their  only  safety. 

This  plan  was  followed  out  and  proved  success- 
ful.    Several  small  parties  of  the  enemy  were  met, 


A  EACE  FOE  LIFE  313 

generally  foraging  parties,  absent  without  leave. 
After  gaining  all  the  information  from  these  parties 
that  he  could,  Lawrence  would  roughly  order  them 
back  to  their  commands,  threatening  them  with  ar- 
rest if  ever  found  absent  again  without  leave.  They 
were  then  allowed  to  go,  much  to  the  disgust  of 
Bruno,  who  could  not  understand  it. 

]\Iorris,  who  was  the  guide  of  the  party,  at  last 
informed  Lawrence  that  they  had  penetrated  into 
the  mountains  as  far  as  prudent  and  they  had  better 
find  a  suitable  hiding  place,  and  wait  until  morning. 
They  w^ere  following  a  road  in  a  gorge,  and  it  was 
some  time  before  they  could  find  a  place  where  they 
could  leave  it.  At  length  they  came  to  where  a  ra- 
vine opened  on  the  gorge  and  into  this  they  turned. 
It  was  very  dark,  the  way  rough  and  rocky,  and  they 
had  to  advance  feeling  their  way,  foot  by  foot,  the 
men  leading  their  horses.  They  soon  came  to  a  cliff 
that  barred  all  further  progress,  and  although  they 
were  only  a  short  distance  from  the  road,  they  con- 
cluded to  stay  where  they  were  and  make  the  best 
of  it.  And  there  in  the  darkness,  each  man,  with 
his  back  against  a  rock  or  a  tree,  the  bridle  of  his 
horse  looped  around  his  arm,  tried  to  get  what  little 
rest  he  could. 

The  morning  at  length  came  and  gladly  the  Scouts 
hailed  it,  for  they  were  stiff  and  sore  and  shivering 
with  the  cold.     Their  breakfast  consisted  only  of 


314  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

army  crackers  and  raw  bacon,  for  they  did  not  dare 
to  light  a  fire.  Their  horses  fared  better,  for  they 
had  brought  with  them  a  Hberal  feed.  The  moun- 
tains rose  round  about  them  shutting  out  the  world. 

"  This  seems  a  safe  place  to  stay,"  said  Morris. 
"  I  will  look  around  a  little.  If  I  am  not  back  in  an 
hour  you  may  know  something  has  happened." 

''  Do  you  go  alone  ?  "  asked  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  I  prefer  it.  I  do  not  expect  to  be  gone 
long."  Thus  saying  Morris  rode  away.  He  was 
roughly  dressed  and  might  easily  be  taken  for  a  na- 
tive, and  he  could  act  the  part  of  one  to  perfection. 

Lawrence  was  very  uneasy,  but  to  his  relief  Mor- 
ris appeared  sooner  than  he  expected.  All  crowded 
around  to  hear  his  report. 

"  I  followed  the  gorge  about  a  mile,"  he  said, 
"  when  I  found  it  opened  into  a  narrow  valley, 
through  which  a  main  road  ran.  Over  the  tops  t)f 
the  mountains  beyond  the  valley,  I  could  see  the  air 
looked  smoky,  as  if  a  large  army  was  encamped 
there.  That  is  what  I  must  find  out,  and  while  I  am 
finding  out,  the  troop  may  as  well  stay  here.  This 
spot  is  close  to  the  road,  but  entirely  concealed.  Not 
only  this,  but  by  ascending  the  mountains  in  front, 
you  will  not  only  have  a  fine  view  of  the  whole  val- 
ley, but  of  the  mountains  beyond." 

"  Then  you  think  the  whole  Confederate  army  is 


A  nACE  FOE  LIFE  315 

encamped  just  over  the  mountains  in  our  front?" 
asked  Lawrence. 

"  Yes,  but  I  must  be  sure.  There  must  be  no 
guess  work." 

"  Why  not  take  the  troop  with  you  ?  I  see  the 
boys  are  aching  to  go." 

Morris  laughed.  "  You  would  be  discovered  be- 
fore you  got  across  the  valley,"  he  answered,  "  and 
then  good-bye  to  the  Scouts.  No,  I  must  go  alone 
unless  I  take  Bruno.  I  would  take  him  if  I  thought 
I  could  make  him  do  just  wdiat  I  wanted." 

"  Why  not  take  me  with  you?  "  asked  Harry  Se- 
mans.  "  You  know'  I  can  make  Bnmo  do  most  any- 
thing.    What  is  it  you  want  him  to  do?  " 

"  Keep  out  of  sight,  without  he  is  called." 

"  That  is  easy.  Take  me,  I^.Iorris,  you  know  you 
and  I  have  been  on  many  a  scout  together,  and  I 
make  a  capital  native  boy.  The  old  coat  and  pants 
I  w^ear  on  such  occasions  are  done  up  behind  my  sad- 
dle now.     There  is  nothing  to  hinder." 

Morris  thought  a  moment  and  then  said,  "  Harry, 
I  would  really  like  to  have  you  and  Bruno  go,  but  1 
hate  to  lead  you  into  danger.  I  could  never  forgive 
myself  if  you  should  lose  your  life." 

"  You  would  n't  have  to  worry  over  it  long."  re- 
plied Harry  with  a  grin,  "  for  if  I  lose  my  life  you 
will  be  sure  to  lose  vours." 


316  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  FIDGE 

"  Boy,  you  can  come,  you  are  made  of  the  right 
stuff,"  answered  Morris. 

The  troop  started  to  raise  a  cheer,  but  was  quickly 
silenced  by  Lawrence.  "  Boys,  are  you  crazy  ?  "  he 
exclaimed. 

"  Most,"  spoke  up  one.  "  We  all  want  to  go  so 
bad." 

It  was  but  the  work  of  a  moment  for  Harry  to 
slip  on  his  old  coat  and  pants,  then  ruffling  his  hair, 
and  borrowing  the  most  dilapidated  looking  hat  in 
the  troop,  he  looked  the  typical  mountain  boy  —  to 
the  manor  born.  Before  starting  Harry  called 
Bruno  aside  and  gave  him  his  orders. 

"  It 's  remarkable  how  that  dawg  understands," 
drawled  one  of  the  men.     "  Dawg-gone  if  it  ain't." 

"  Hang  him,"  chorused  a  dozen.  "  That  is  at 
least  six  times  Ben  has  perpetrated  that  on  us." 

Ben  was  seized  and  made  to  promise  he  would 
never  do  the  like  again. 

As  Morris  and  Harry  rode  away,  Bruno  did  not 
immediately  follow,  but  waited  a  while,  and  then 
trotted  off  down  the  road,  as  unconcernedly  as  if  he 
was  going  on  his  own  business. 

Lawrence  concluded  to  climb  the  mountain  and 
act  as  sentinel,  leaving  the  troop  in  command  of 
Dan.  His  orders  were  strict;  the  road  was  to  be 
carefully  watched,  but  no  Confederates  were  to  be 
molested,  if  any  should  pass  along.     The  troop  was 


A  'RACE  FOU  LIFE  317 

to  be  held  ready  to  mount  at  a  moment's  notice, 
and  Dan  was  to  look  up  a  way  to  retreat,  if  the 
mouth  of  the  ravine  should  be  blocked  by  the  enemy. 

Lawrence  took  three  men  and  stationed  them  at 
intervals  up  the  mountain  side,  so  he  could  more 
readily  communicate  with  Dan,  if  he  found  it 
necessar}\ 

It  was  a  stiff  climb  but  when  Lawrence  reached 
the  top  a  glorious  panorama  burst  upon  his  vision. 
The  sun  had  risen  and  was  flooding  the  mountain 
tops  and  the  valley  with  its  light.  The  valley  must 
have  been  a  fertile  one,  for  there  were  a  number  of 
farm  houses  in  sight,  but  there  seemed  to  be  but  little 
life  around  them.  Stock  and  forage  had  been  swept 
away;  armies  had  to  be  fed.  The  valley  now  lay 
bleak  and  bare  beneath  the  March  sky. 

Across  the  valley  there  was  a  break  in  the  m.oun- 
tains,  and  Lawrence  knew  that  a  road  ran  through 
that  break  to  the  other  side  of  the  mountains,  where 
a  smoky  haze  lay  along  the  horizon.  Yes,  Morris 
was  right,  an  anny  must  lie  encamped  there. 

As  Lawrence  looked,  a  regiment  of  cavalry  came 
riding  along  the  road  leading  through  the  valley, 
and  disappeared  in  the  west.  Where  were  Morris 
and  Harry?  Had  they  already  crossed  the  valley 
or  were  they  waiting?  Lawrence  had  a  good  glass 
and  with  it  he  swept  the  valley  and  the  sides  of  the 
mountains  beyond,  but  he  could  see  no  signs  of  them. 


318  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA   FIDGE 

He  fervently  prayed  that  they  had  crossed  the  valley 
in  safety. 

Morris  had  told  Lawrence  to  have  the  troop  wait 
for  him  until  midnight,  if  he  did  not  come  then  to 
wait  no  longer,  for  it  would  mean  either  he  and 
Harry  had  been  captured,  or  been  obliged  to  seek 
some  other  way  back.  It  was  lonely  watching  for 
Lawrence,  During  the  day  several  squads  of  cav- 
alry passed  through  the  valley,  all  headed  west. 
Midday  came  and  went,  still  no  signs  of  Morris  and 
Harry.  Suddenly  from  over  the  mountain  tops 
came  the  boom  of  a  cannon.  The  distant  thunder 
sounded  again  and  again.     What  did  it  mean? 

Lawrence  was  all  alert.  He  counted  the  distant 
reports  as  they  came,  one  after  the  other,  until  he 
counted  forty,  then  all  w-as  silent.  He  was  puzzled, 
but  suddenly  exclaimed,  "  I  have  it.  Forty  guns  fired 
one  after  the  other  is  a  major-general  salute.  The 
Confederate  army  must  have  another  commander." 

The  sun  was  half-way  down  in  the  west,  and  still 
no  signs  of  Morris.  Lawrence  thought  it  about 
time  to  give  up  his  vigil,  but  before  he  left  he  would 
take  one  more  look.  His  glass  once  more  swept  the 
mountain  side.  Was  that  some  animal  running 
through  the  scrub?  Yes,  it  was  an  animal  running 
as  if  death  was  after  it.  It  cleared  the  mountain 
side  and  came  across  the  valley  in  great  leaps. 

Lawrence's  heart  stood  still.    It  was  Bruno,  Bruno 


A  BACE  FOB  LIFE  319 

coming  to  tell  him  Morris  and  Harry  were  in  peril. 
He  rather  rolled  and  slid  down  the  mountain  side 
than  ran;  but  quick  as  he  was,  Bruno  had  beaten 
him.  The  men  had  gathered  around  the  dog  in 
great  excitement,  and  Bnmo  seemed  fully  as  ex- 
cited as  they.  He  bounded  and  leaped,  he  would 
run  a  short  distance,  then  stop  and  look  back  to  see 
if  they  were  following.  When  Lawrence  came  he 
caught  him  by  the  clothes  and  tried  to  pull  him 
along. 

"  Boys,  Morris  and  Harry  are  in  peril,"  said  Law- 
rence. "  Bruno  has  come  to  tell  us.  What  shall  we 
do?  For  myself,  I  am  willing  to  follow  the  dog,  if 
needs  be  into  the  heart  of  Price's  army,  to  try  and 
rescue  them." 

"  Lead  on  and  we  will  follow,"  cried  the  men  as 
with  one  voice. 

There  was  no  attempt  at  concealment  now. 
Through  the  gorge  and  across  the  valley  the  troop 
thundered,  Bruno  leading.  Into  the  mountains  on 
the  other  side  they  rode,  going  they  knew  not  where. 
but  never  doubting  that  the  trusty  Bruno  would  lead 
them  right. 

The  dog  kept  the  main  road  for  about  a  mile,  then 
turned  into  a  gorge  where  the  way  was  narrow, 
rough  and  rocky,  but  the  troop  did  not  check  their 
headlong  speed.  Nearly  two  miles  up  the  gorge 
Bruno  led  them,  then  he  stopped  and  looked  up  in 


320  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

Lawrence's  face  with  a  low  whine.  Lawrence  knew 
that  meant  there  was  danger  ahead. 

Halting  the  troop,  Lawrence  crept  cautiously  to 
the  front,  and  had  gone  but  a  few  yards  when  the 
gorge  suddenly  opened  into  a  long  narrow  valley, 
and  what  he  saw  there  filled  him  with  horror. 

In  the  centre  of  the  valley  not  two  hundred  yards 
away  were  forty  or  fifty  horsemen,  but  most  of 
them  were  dismounted  and  seemed  to  be  greatly  ex- 
cited, for  they  were  all  talking  loudly  and  gesticulat- 
ing violently.  In  their  midst  stood  two  men  with 
their  hands  bound  behind  them.  Quickly  Lawrence 
brought  his  glass  to  bear.  As  he  expected  the  pris- 
oners were  Morris  and  Harry.  A  few  paces  away, 
under  a  lone  tree,  two  soldiers  w^ere  scooping  out 
what  seemed  to  be  a  shallow  grave  and  near  the 
grave  lay  a  still  figure  shrouded  in  a  blanket. 

Three  officers  stood  near  by  engaged  in  earnest 
conversation,  and  at  last  one  turned  away  with  an 
impatient  gesture,  as  if  to  say,  "  Do  as  you  please." 

One  of  the  other  officers  walked  up  to  where  the 
soldiers  w^ere  grouped  and  said  a  few  words.  Imme- 
diately a  wild  "  Hurrah  "  was  heard,  and  two  of  the 
soldiers  rushed  to  their  horses  and  began  to  untie 
a  couple  of  lariats.  Lawrence  saw  and  knew  what 
it  meant.  There  was  not  a  moment  to  lose,  and  he 
rushed  back  to  the  troop. 

"  Quick,  boys,  your  blankets !  "  he  cried.    "  Throw 


A  BACE  FOE  LIFE  321 

them  around  your  shoulders  to  conceal  your  uni- 
forms.   By  fours !    Forward !    Follow  me !  " 

The  Scouts  understood.  In  a  trice  their  blankets 
were  around  their  shoulders  and  they  were  ready. 
"  Forward  trot !  "  ordered  Lawrence.  He  knew  he 
must  not  alarm  the  Confederates  with  undue  haste. 
When  the  valley  opened  up  before  them  they  saw 
Morris  and  Harry  had  already  been  led  under  the 
tree  and  the  ropes  were  being  placed  around  their 
necks.  The  noise  of  the  approaching  Scouts  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  the  Confederates  and  look- 
ing about  they  saw  the  gray-blanketed  horsemen 
coming. 

"  ^^'ait  a  minute,"  sang  out  one  of  the  number. 
"  Heah  comes  another  company  to  see  the  fun." 

"  Wait  nothing!  Swing  them  up,"  roared  an  of- 
ficer. Hardly  had  the  words  left  his  lips  when  Law- 
rence's voice  rang  out  "  Deploy  on  left !    Charge." 

Like  a  thunderbolt  the  Scouts  were  on  them. 
Taken  completely  by  surprise,  half  of  them  raised 
their  hands  in  submission,  the  rest  fled  in  terror. 
The  fight,  if  fight  it  could  be  called,  was  over  in  two 
minutes.  Some  half  dozen  who  had  tried  to  escape 
had  fallen;  the  rest  of  the  forty  were  either  prison- 
ers or  had  escaped. 

Morris  and  Harrj'  were  quickly  released,  but 
hardly  had  this  been  done  when  they  heard  cheering 
and  the  thunder  of  horses'  hoofs,  and  looking,  they 


a22  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

saw  a  full  company  of  Confederate  cavalry  coming 
at  full  speed. 

"  Back  to  the  gorge,"  shouted  Lawrence.  Mor- 
ris and  Harry  sprang  on  two  of  the  captured  horses, 
and  the  whole  troop  fell  back  into  the  mouth  of  the 
gorge  where  they  halted  to  await  the  attack. 
Swiftly  it  came,  but  two  or  three  volleys  sent  the 
Confederates  staggering  and  bleeding  back  into  the 
valley. 

"  It  is  no  use  following,"  said  one  of  the  Confed- 
erate officers.  "  Fifty  men  can  hold  a  thousand  in 
that  gorge."    So  the  pursuit  was  given  up. 

At  the  head  of  the  company  that  appeared  so 
opportunely  for  the  Confederates  was  Benton  Shel- 
ley. He  was  on  his  way  to  General  Pike  with  im- 
portant orders,  and  the  company  was  his  escort. 
When  he  learned  the  full  history  of  the  affair,  and 
who  the  escaped  prisoners  were  his  fury  knew  no 
bounds. 

"  Fools !  Dolts !  Idiots !  "  he  cried.  "  The  only 
one  among  you  who  had  any  sense  was  Lieutenant 
Pelham.  Had  you  followed  his  advice  and  taken 
the  prisoners  to  General  Price,  there  would  have 
been  no  reward  too  great  for  you.  Do  any  of  you 
know  who  the  officer  was  who  led  the  rescue 
party?  " 

No  one  seemed  to  know  until  a  soldier,  one  who 
had  surrendered  at  the  first  onslaught,  spoke  up,  "  I 


A  FACE  FOE  LIFE  323 

am  almost  sure  I  heard  one  of  his  men  call  him  Cap- 
lain  Middleton." 

"  That 's  the  one.  I  knew  it."  screamed  Benton, 
almost  beside  himself.  Turning  to  the  cowering 
officers  who  had  wanted  to  hang  Morris  and  Harry, 
he  shook  his  fist  in  their  faces  and  roared,  "If  Price 
do  n't  hang  you  for  this,  I  am  mistaken." 

Gladly  would  Benton  have  pursued  the  Scouts, 
but  they  had  such  a  start  he  felt  it  would  be  useless, 
besides  his  orders  were  imperative  to  find  Pike  as 
quickly  as  possible. 

It  was  fortunate  the  Scouts  were  not  pursued,  for 
their  horses  were  badly  winded  in  the  furious  ride 
to  save  Morris  and  Harry. 

All  through  the  night  they  rode  and  just  as  day 
was  breaking  they  heard  the  welcome  challenge  of 
the  Federal  picket. 

Lawrence  lost  no  time  in  making  his  report  to 
General  Curtis.  It  was  that  General  Earl  \''an  Dorn 
had  been  appointed  commander  of  the  combined 
armies  of  McCulloch,  Price,  and  Pike;  that  the 
strength  of  the  combined  armies  was  estimated  at 
from  20,000  to  30,000:  and  that  Van  Dorn  had  al- 
ready issued  orders  for  the  armies  to  concentrate 
for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the  Federals. 

It  was  not  until  they  had  slept  and  rested  that 
jMorris  gave  Lawrence  a  full  account  of  what  had 
befallen  him  and  Harry.     "  At  first,"  he  said,  "  we 


324  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

had  little  trouble.  As  I  expected  we  met  several 
small  parties  of  Confederates,  but  we  passed  our- 
selves off  as  refugees  from  Missouri,  going  to  an 
uncle  who  lived  down  on  the  Arkansas  River.  From 
those  w^e  met  we  learned  that  the  armies  of  McCul- 
loch  and  Price  were  encamped  just  over  the  moun- 
tains, and  that  Van  Dorn  had  been  appointed 
commander  in  chief. 

"  At  the  first  opportunity  we  concealed  our  horses, 
and  climbed  the  mountain,  from  the  top  of  which 
we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  armies,  and  could  form 
an  intelligent  opinion  of  their  numbers.  It  was 
while  we  were  on  top  of  the  mountain  that  the  sa- 
lute was  fired  in  honor  of  Van  Dorn. 

"  When  we  came  down  we  unavoidably  fell  in 
with  a  party  of  about  thirty  Rebels  under  the  com- 
mand of  a  Captain  Bostick.  When  he  found  we 
were  from  Missouri  he  was  very  talkative,  and 
asked  me  lots  of  questions,  and  wanted  me  to  enlist 
in  his  company,  saying  that  Van  Dorn  had  issued 
orders  for  the  army  to  concentrate,  and  that  before 
three  days  the  Yankees  would  be  swept  from  the 
face  of  the  earth.  I  told  him  it  was  impossible  for 
us  to  enlist  before  we  saw  our  uncle. 

"  He  kept  us  so  long  I  began  to  get  uneasy  and 
was  inventing  some  excuse  to  get  away  when  to  my 
consternation,  another  party  numbering  about  thirty 
came  up.     They  were  commanded  by  a  big  brutal 


A  RACE  FOE  LIFE  325 

lieutenant  by  the  name  of  Peters.  He  saluted  Bos- 
tick  with  a  '  Hello,  Captain,  better  get  to  your  regi- 
ment ;  there  is  fun  ahead.  Van  Dorn  means 
business!  ' 

"  Then  noticing  us  he  asked  who  we  were.  Bos- 
tick  explained,  and  said  he  had  been  trying  to  get  us 
to  enlist,  but  we  had  refused. 

"  '  Make  them  enlist,'  roared  Peters.  '  Here,  boys, 
you  git  in  my  company,  and  that  quick,'  he  said 
with  an  oath.     '  I  will  make  soldiers  out  of  you.' 

"  This  drew  the  attention  of  the  whole  company 
to  us.  One  of  them  rode  up  and  looked  me  squarely 
in  the  face.  My  heart  stood  still  for  it  was  Dickey 
Holbrook.     I  knew  my  time  had  come. 

"  *  Hello.  Guil  —  '  He  never  said  more.  As  quick 
as  a  flash  I  drew  my  pistol  and  shot  him  dead. 

"  Of  course  all  was  pandemonium.  I  expected, 
and  it  was  what  I  wished,  that  the  soldiers  would 
kill  Harry  and  me  at  once.  But  they  did  n't.  I 
think  they  were  too  surprised  at  what  had  happened. 
Then  they  demanded  why  I  had  killed  Dickey  Hol- 
brook. 

"  I  told  them  he  had  wronged  my  sister  up  in  Mis- 
souri. The  story  of  going  to  my  uncle  was  a  sub- 
terfuge. I  had  followed  Holbrook  with  the  inten- 
tion of  killing  him  on  sight.     I  had  done  so. 

"  Then  things  broke  loose  again.  I  was  de- 
nounced as  a  liar,  and  some  wanted  to  hang  me  right 


326  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

away;  and  others  were  for  looking  into  my  story, 
and  finding  whether  true  or  false. 

"  The  argument  grew  warmer  and  the  wrangling 
lasted  for  some  time.  Then  it  was  that  Lieutenant 
Pelham  of  Bostick's  company  spoke  up.  He  told 
them  he  believed  I  was  a  liar,  but  in  his  opinion  they 
had  drawn  a  prize  and  not  to  hang  us,  but  take  us 
to  General  Price ;  and  pointing  to  me  said  he  believed 
I  was  Guilford  Craig,  the  notorious  traitor  and  spy, 
on  whose  head  a  big  price  was  set. 

"  But  the  men  would  not  hear  it,  it  was  only  a 
trick  to  get  me  away,  and  there  came  nearly  being  a 
fight  between  Bostick's  men  and  Peters'  command. 
At  last  Bostick  gave  in  and  told  Peters  to  do  as  he 
pleased.  It  was  this  wrangling  that  saved  our  lives, 
and  gave  you  time  to  get  to  us." 

"But  Bruno,  where  does  he  come  in?"  asked 
Lawrence. 

"  Let  Harry  tell,  that  is  his  part,"  answered 
Morris. 

"  I  gave  Bruno  orders."  said  Harry,  "  to  keep 
near  us,  but  not  to  come  to  us  unless  called.  You 
know  how  faithfully  he  obeys.  When  Morris  shot 
that  fellow  I  thought  it  was  all  up  with  us,  but  I 
had  presence  of  mind  to  whistle  for  Bruno.  He 
was  hiding  near  the  mouth  of  the  gorge  and  came 
bounding  to  me.  When  near  enough  to  hear  I 
shouted  *  Back,  Bruno,  back !    Home  quick ! ' 


A  HACK  FOU  LIFE  327 

"  He  understood,  and  turned  and  was  away  like 
a  shot.  Owing  to  the  excitement  over  the  shooting 
of  Holbrook  I  think  the  dog  was  hardly  noticed. 
Bruno  did  his  work  well.  I  hardly  know  yet  how 
he  could  have  brought  you  so  quickly." 

"  He  must  have  gone  through  that  gorge  through 
which  we  retreated,"  said  Morris.  "  But  how  did 
he  know  it  was  the  short  route  ?  It  w^as  not  the  way 
we  came." 

"  It  was  the  way  he  brought  us,"  said  Lawrence. 
"  Come  here,  Bruno,  old  fellow,  and  tell  us  how  you 
know  so  much." 

The  dog  came  and  laid  his  head  on  Lawrence's 
knee,  but  he  limped  as  he  came.  Lawrence  gently 
raised  the  foot,  which  had  been  cruelly  cut. 

"  Look !  "  said  Lawrence.  "  He  must  have  cut 
his  foot  in  his  mad  race.     Poor  Bruno!  " 

But  Bruno  did  not  look  as  if  he  needed  pity,  in- 
stead he  gave  a  bark  of  delight,  and  then  went  to 
sleep  with  Lawrence  patting  his  head. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

PEA   RIDGE 

THE  Army  of  the  Southwest  had  fought  its 
way  from  Rolla  to  Pea  Ridge,  a  distance  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  miles.  It  had  fol- 
lowed Price  all  these  miles  hoping  to  force  him  to 
give  battle;  but  now  he  was  well  out  of  the  State, 
and  his  army  still  intact.  Not  only  this  but  the 
quarrels  between  him  and  McCulloch  were  to  cease, 
for  a  new  commander  had  been  appointed  over  both, 
one  that  both  willingly  obeyed. 

To  the  combined  armies  of  Price  and  McCulloch 
was  to  be  added  the  amiy  of  General  Albert  Pike 
consisting  of  two  regiments  of  Texas  cavalry,  and 
a  horde  of  Indians.  It  looked  as  if  Curtis  had  been 
lured  all  of  these  miles  from  his  base,  only  to  be 
destroyed  by  an  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy. 

Curtis  had  been  promised  a  reinforcement  of  five 
thousand  men  from  the  Department  of  Kansas,  but 
General  Hunter  became  involved  in  a  quarrel  with 
General  Jim  Lane,  and  the  men  were  never  sent. 
Curtis  now  only  had  his  own  little  army  to  depend 
on;  there  was  no  hope  of  any  aid.    As  Lyon  was  left 

328 


PEA  niDGE  329 

on  his  own  resources  at  Wilson  Creek,  so  now  was 
Curtis  left  at  Pea  Ridge. 

The  position  of  the  amiy  was  a  most  perilous 
one.  Not  only  was  it  confronted  by  a  vastly  superior 
force,  but  it  had  mostly  to  depend  for  sustenance  on 
a  thinly  populated  country,  a  country  that  had  al- 
ready fed  AlcCulloch's  army  for  months. 

For  the  army  to  be  defeated  meant  annihilation; 
but  General  Curtis  never  faltered,  the  hearts  of  his 
soldiers  never  grew  faint.  They  had  not  followed 
Price  all  these  months  to  retreat  without  giving 
battle.  For  months  they  had  longed  for  the  oppor- 
tunity now  presented;  the  enemy  was  before  them, 
they  would  win  or  perish. 

To  Lawrence  General  Curtis  gave  his  warmest 
thanks  for  the  important  service  he  had  rendered, 
but  when  Lawrence  informed  him  it  was  to  Morris, 
now  known  under  his  true  name  of  Guilford  Craig, 
that  he  was  indebted  more  than  to  him,  the  general 
was  astonished. 

"  So  you  are  Guilford  Craig,"  he  said  taking  him 
by  the  hand.  "  I  am  glad  to  meet  you  and  to  know 
you.  I  have  heard  of  the  great  service  you  rendered 
Blair  and  Lyon,  and  have  often  wondered  what  had 
become  of  you.  More  than  once  I  have  wished  I 
had  you  with  me  and  here  I  have  had  you  all  the 
time.  I  now  understand  why  Captain  Middleton 
has  been  so  successful  in  giving  me  information." 


330  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EID6E 

"  Captain,"  he  said  turning  to  Lawrence,  "  I  want 
you  to  take  this  praise  to  yourself  also.  Hereafter 
I  want  your  troop  to  act  as  my  body  guard,  and  also 
do  the  scouting  and  secret  work." 

"  General,  you  do  nie  too  much  honor,"  replied 
Lawrence,  "  but  what  I  can  do,  that  will  I  do  right 
willingly." 

General  Curtis  lost  no  time  in  preparing  for  the 
coming  battle.  He  selected  a  strong  position  on 
Sugar  Creek  which  he  fortified.  Lawrence  was  or- 
dered to  scout  well  in  front,  so  as  to  give  the  earliest 
information  of  the  advance  of  the  enemy. 

When  Lawrence  was  ready  to  go  on  the  scout,  to 
his  surprise  Guilford  said  he  was  not  going.  Since 
it  had  become  known  that  he  was  Guilford  Craig  a 
great  change  had  come  over  him;  he  was  silent  and 
morose  and  seemed  to  take  no  interest  in  anything 
that  was  going  on.  Lawrence  thought  it  best  not  to 
press  him  for  his  reason  in  acting  as  he  did,  and 
went  on  the  scout  without  him. 

On  the  evening  of  the  fifth,  Lawrence  came  in 
with  the  word  that  Van  Dorn  was  rapidly  advanc- 
ing, and  that  a  battle  could  not  be  delayed  more 
than  a  day  or  two. 

After  Lawrence  had  made  his  report  he  went  to 
hunt  up  Guilford.  He  found  him  sitting  alone  in 
his  tent,  silent  and  brooding. 

"  There  is  going  to  be  a  big  battle,"  said  Law- 


PKA   TilDGK  331 

rence.     "  It  will  be  fought  wiihin  the  next  day  or 
two." 

"  I  know  it,"  replied  Guilford.  "  That  is  what 
kept  me.  When  you  went  on  your  scout  I  had  fully 
made  up  my  mind  not  to  be  here  when  you  came 
back,  but,  Lawrence,  I  could  not  leave  you  that  way. 
I  will  stay  until  after  the  battle,  and  then,  if  I  do 
not  fall,  you  and  I  must  part." 

Lawrence  tenderly  placed  his  hand  on  his  shoul- 
der saying  in  a  voice  trembling  with  emotion, 
"  Guilford,  you  and  I  have  worked  together  for  a 
long  time.  I  do  not  see  how  I  can  give  you  up.  I 
have  no  brother,  you  have  become  one  to  me.  Will 
you  not  confide  in  me  and  tell  me  what  is  troubling 
you?  " 

Guilford  remained  silent  for  a  moment,  then  said, 
"  Yes,  I  will  tell  you ;  it  is  your  due,  and  it  will  be 
for  the  best.  You  know  when  I  left  my  father's 
house,  it  was  with  the  full  intention  that  the  name  of 
Guilford  Craig  should  be  dead  and  buried.  In  a 
weak  moment  I  consented  to  come  with  you,  for  I 
loved  you.  You  were  the  only  link  which  bound  me 
to  the  past.  You  promised  to  shield  my  identity, 
and  you  have  kept  that  promise. 

"  Through  no  fault  of  yours,  it  has  become  known 
who  I  am.  This  army  knows ;  the  soldiers  stare  at 
me  and  gather  around  the  tent  to  try  and  catch  a 
glimpse  of  me.     I  hear  them  talking  of  the  fellow 


332  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

who  fooled  Frost,  Price  and  Jackson.  Before  this 
time  Price  knows  I  am  with  Curtis;  Benton  knows 
it  and  before  long  my  father  will  know  it  and  curse 
me  anew. 

"  After  this  battle,  if  I  survive,  Charles  Morris 
will  disappear  as  completely  as  I  hoped  Guilford 
Craig  would.  No  one,  not  even  you,  will  know 
where  I  am  or  what  name  I  bear.  Do  n't  try  to  per- 
suade me  differently,  Lawrence,  my  friend,  for  it 
wall  do  no  good,  and  only  make  it  harder  for  me  to 

go- 
Lawrence  was  deeply  moved.  "  Guilford,  I  will 
not  try  to  detain  you,"  he  answered  huskily,  "  but 
to  have  you  lost,  buried  as  it  were,  not  to  know 
whether  you  are  living  or  dead  —  it 's  terrible. 
Promise  me  that  in  the  years  to  come,  if  we  are  both 
living,  you  will  let  me  know." 

"  I  cannot  promise,"  replied  Guilford  sadly, 
"  Better  leave  it  as  it  is.     Forget  me." 

"  I  never  can  forget  you,  Guilford.  If  you  must 
go,  all  I  can  say  is,  may  God  go  with  you." 

There  in  the  darkness,  with  the  clouds  of  the  com- 
ing battle  hanging  over  them  they  clasped  hands, 
each  too  full  of  remembrances  of  the  past  to  say 
more. 

Sigel's  division  occupied  an  advance  position  near 
Bentonville,  some  twelve  miles  in  front  of  the  main 
army.     When  it  became  known  that  Van  Dorn  was 


PEA   lilDGE  333 

advancing,  Curtis  seni  word  to  Sigel  to  move  that 
night  at  eleven  and  fall  back  to  tlie  main  army. 

But  Sigel  was  always  slow  to  obey  orders  and 
liked  to  have  his  own  way,  and  fight  as  independ- 
ently as  possible.  So  instead  of  moving  at  eleven  he 
did  not  move  until  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
then  stopped  with  six  hundred  of  his  men  in 
Bentonville. 

During  the  forenoon  the  enemy  swarmed  into 
Bentonville  by  the  thousands.  Sigel  now  com- 
menced one  of  his  masterly  retreats.  Sometimes  it 
looked  as  if  Sigel  put  himself  in  a  perilous  position 
just  to  show  how  skilful  he  was  in  conducting  a  re- 
treat. He  certainly  conducted  this  one  with  the 
skill  of  a  master.  Although  beset  by  five  times  his 
number,  he  kept  the  enemy  at  bay,  and  slowly  made 
his  way  toward  the  Union  lines. 

The  sound  of  the  conflict  alarmed  General  Cur- 
tis and  he  sent  a  division  to  Sigel's  relief.  The 
division  met  Sigel  nearly  four  miles  from  camp, 
fighting  bravely  but  nearly  surrounded.  \\'hen  the 
Confederates  saw  reinforcements  had  come,  they 
sullenly  fell  back,  and  Sigel  was  left  to  continue  his 
march  in  peace.  He  came  in,  took  his  place  in  line, 
and  Curtis  now  had  his  whole  anny  in  hand  for  the 
coming  battle. 

General  Curtis's  position  was  strong;  his  men 
eager  for  the  fight,  and  he  was  confident  that  he 


334  TEE  SCOUT  OF  FEA  BTDGE 

could  hold  his  own  in  spite  of  the  force  that  Van 
Dorn  was  bringing  against  him.  But  during  the 
night  Lawrence  brought  startling  tidings  to  the  gen- 
eral. It  was  that  Van  Dorn,  leaving  his  camp  fires 
burning  to  deceive  them,  had  divided  his  force.  Mc- 
Culloch  and  Pike  were  marching  around  to  attack 
the  right  wing  on  flank  and  in  rear;  while  Price  with 
his  Missourians  was  taking  a  road  that  would  bring 
him  squarely  in  the  rear  of  the  left  wing. 

Curtis  could  hardly  believe  the  report;  if  true  all 
his  preparations  for  the  battle  had  been  in  vain. 
The  position  which  he  had  chosen  with  so  much  care 
would  have  to  be  given  up.  He  could  only  hope  that 
the  report  was  not  true,  btit  when  morning  came  his 
worst  fears  were  realized. 

The  army  was  promptly  about-faced  and  a  posi- 
tion some  distance  in  rear  of  the  first  was  taken. 
Hardly  was  the  new  alignment  made  when  the  storm 
burst. 

The  battle  opened  on  what  was  now  the  left  of 
the  army,  by  Osterhaus  sending  out  a  force  of  five 
hundred  cavalry  and  a  flying  battery  of  three  guns 
to  try  to  locate  the  position  of  the  enemy.  This 
force  suddenly  ran  on  two  regiments  of  Texas  cav- 
alry and  three  regiments  of  Indians  of  Pike's  com- 
mand. The  Texans  charged,  scattered  the  cavalry 
and  captured  the  gims. 

The  Indians  went  wild.     They  rushed  to  the  can- 


PEA  BIDGE  335 

non,  clambering  over  them,  riding  around  ihem, 
yelling  and  whooping  and  brandishing  their  arms. 
All  discipline  was  lost;  orders  could  not  be  heard. 
In  the  midst  of  this  rejoicing  two  shells  from  a 
Union  battery  fell  in  their  midst.  The  effect  was 
not  only  remarkable,  but  ludicrous.  Shrieking  with 
terror,  the  Indians  fled  back  into  the  woods  and  from 
that  time  were  of  no  more  use  in  the  battle  than  an 
army  of  women  with  brooms. 

McCulloch's  army  was  composed  of  what  might 
be  called  veteran  troops.  They  had  been  drilled  for 
months,  and  great  things  were  expected  of  them. 
Again  and  again  were  they  hurled  against  the  divis- 
ion of  Davis  and  Osterhaus  only  to  be  sent  reeling 
back,  bleeding  and  torn.  Both  McCulloch  and  Mc- 
intosh, the  second  in  command,  were  killed,  and  the 
third  in  command,  Colonel  Herbert,  taken  prisoner. 
This  left  General  Albert  Pike  in  command,  and  he 
was  worse  than  no  commander.  In  fact  it  appears 
he  was  never  nearer  to  the  battlefield  than  where  the 
flying  batter}^  had  been  taken. 

Without  officers  McCulloch's  army  fell  back  in 
confusion  and  fled  from  the  field.  So  great  was  the 
panic  that  of  the  thousands  in  McCulloch's  and 
Pike's  army,  only  three  thousand  could  be  rallied 
when  night  came. 

The  battle  in  this  part  of  the  field  was  practically 
over  by  three  o'clock ;  but  on  the  right  it  raged  with 


336  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  RIDGE 

fury.  Here  the  Missourians  under  Price  struck 
Carr's  division  and  they  fought  with  the  greatest 
courage  and  gallantry.  Carr  was  pressed  back  until 
he  had  lost  over  half  a  mile  of  ground,  and  he  sent 
to  Curtis  saying  he  must  have  reinforcement,  or  he 
would  be  compelled  to  leave  the  field. 

The  general  had  but  few  to  send.  He  turned  to 
Lawrence,  "Will  you  go  with  your  Scouts?"  he 
asked. 

"  I  will,"  replied  Lawrence.  As  he  rode  away  the 
general  shouted  after  him,  "  Tell  Carr  to  persevere, 
and  I  will  send  reinforcements  as  soon  as  possible." 

Lawrence  gave  the  message  to  Carr,  and  then 
plunged  into  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  Carr  did  per- 
severe and  after  one-fourth  of  his  men  had  fallen, 
reinforcements  came,  and  the  field  was  saved. 

Night  came  and  the  weary  soldiers  sank  down 
where  they  had  fought.  General  Curtis  was  full  of 
hope.  The  Confederate  left  had  been  crushed,  and 
although  Price  had  gained  ground,  he  believed  the 
force  of  his  attack  had  been  spent,  and  that  victory 
awaited  the  Union  forces  in  the  morning. 

All  the  Union  officers  did  not  feel  so,  however. 
General  Asboth  wrote  to  Curtis  as  late  as  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  advising  him  to  mass  his  forces  and 
cut  his  way  through  the  Confederate  army,  and  thus 
save  as  many  of  his  own  army  as  possible.  It  was 
advice  that  was  never  followed.     The  soldiers  were 


PEA  KIDGE  337 

as  full  of  fight  as  ever  and  anxiously  awaited  the 
coming  of  another  day. 

During  the  night  and  morning  General  Curtis 
brought  over  the  divisions  of  Sigel  and  Asboth  from 
the  left;  and  when  all  was  ready  the  entire  army 
moved  forward.  The  advance  was  irresistible; 
nothing  could  stay  the  ardor  of  the  Union  troops. 
Over  hill,  through  valley  and  up  mountain  side  they 
rushed. 

By  eleven  o'clock  the  field  was  won,  and  the  Con- 
federate army  was  in  utter  rout.  They  fled  in  every 
direction  and  did  not  stop  until  they  were  forty 
miles  away. 

So  great  was  the  demoralization  that  one  regi- 
ment of  fi\'e  hundred  men.  threw  their  arms  in  a 
ravine  and  then  each  man  lit  out  for  himself.  These 
arms  were  afterwards  found  by  the  Union  cavalry. 
So  great  a  victory  over  so  superior  force  was  sel- 
dom achieved  during  the  war.* 

The  gallant  Army  of  the  Southwest  had  met  and 

*For  the  number  engaged  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  was  not 
nearly  as  bloody  as  most  of  the  great  battles  of  the  war. 
General  Curtis  fought  the  battle  with  a  force  of  10,000  men, 
and  of  these  he  lost  nearly  1,400.  or  about  14  per  cent.  Gen- 
eral Carr's  and  General  Jeff.  C.  Davis's  divisions  suffered  the 
most.  A  few  regiments  sustained  heavy  losses.  The  Ninth 
Iowa  lost  218;  the  Fourth  Iowa  164;  the  Thirty-Seventh 
Illinois  137;  and  the  Thirty-Fifth  Illinois  113. 

The  exact  strength  and  loss  of  the  Confederate  army  will 
never  be  known.  In  all  probability  Van  Dorn  had  nearly  or 
quite  25,000  men  at  or  near  the  battle ;  but  thousands  of  these 


338  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

conquered  their  foe.  Wilson  Creek  and  Lexington 
were  at  last  avenged. 

During  this  battle  the  Scouts  added  to  their  lau- 
rels. In  the  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  army  they  were 
foremost;  especially  did  Guilford  Craig  distinguish 
himself.  He  appeared  devoid  of  fear  and  at  times 
actually  seemed  to  court  death. 

At  one  time  during  the  pursuit  a  company  of  Con- 
federates under  a  gallant  officer  made  a  most  deter- 
mined stand.  Lawrence  charged  them,  and  in  the 
melee  he  came  face  to  face  with  the  officer  in  com- 
mand. To  his  surprise  it  was  Randolph  Hamilton. 
Listead  of  engaging  in  mortal  combat,  both  raised 
their  swords  in  salute  and  parted. 

Just  then  Benton  Shelley  at  the  head  of  a  com- 
pany came  charging  down,  and  the  Scouts  were 
forced  back.  The  charge  brought  Benton  face  to 
face  with  Guilford.  When  he  recognized  him  a  look 
of  hate  and  of  triumph  came  over  his  face,  and  he 
dashed  at  him  revolver  in  hand. 

men,  especially  the  Indians,  proved  absolutely  worthless  in 
the  fight. 

Van  Dorn  made  two  reports.  In  his  first  report  he  says  he 
took  16,000  men  into  the  fight,  and  lost  from  800  to  1,000,  in 
killed  and  wounded.  In  his  second  report,  made  a  few  days 
after  the  first,  he  says  he  fought  the  battle  with  14,000  and 
that  his  loss  was  only  600  killed  and  wounded.  It  seems 
incredible  that  an  army  of  14,000  men  would  flee  in  utter  rout 
from  a  battlefield  in  which  they  had  suffered  a  loss  of  only 
six  hundred.  The  Southern  soldiers  were  not  made  of  such 
material. 


Benton  Kred,  aiming  squarely  at  his  breast.      "  At  last,  traitor- 
at  last!"    he  said 


PEA  BIDGE  339 

Every  chamber  in  Guilford's  revolver  was  empty, 
but  he  disdained  to  tly  from  his  enemy  and  prepared 
to  meet  him  sword  in  hand.  Wlien  within  a  few 
feet  of  Guilford,  Benton  fired,  aiming  squarely  at 
his  breast. 

"At  last,  traitor!     At  last!  "  he  cried. 

Guilford's  sword  fell  from  his  hand;  he  sank 
down  in  his  saddle,  then  slowly  fell  forward  and 
rolled  from  his  horse. 

But  the  Scouts  had  been  reinforced,  and  the  Con- 
federates were  put  to  flight.  Lawrence  did  not 
know  that  Guilford  had  fallen  and  kept  up  the  pur- 
suit, until  night. 

On  his  return  the  news  of  Guilford's  death  was  to 
him  like  receiving  the  stab  of  a  sword.  The  next 
morning  early  he  went  to  look  for  the  body,  but  it 
could  not  be  found. 

With  the  hope  that  after  all  Guilford  might 
have  been  wounded  and  not  killed,  Lawrence  began  a 
search  of  the  hospitals,  but  not  a  trace  of  him 
was  discovered. 

As  Guilford  was  not  in  uniform,  it  was  thought 
that  he  might  have  been  buried  as  a  Confederate  and 
was  resting  in  an  unknown  grave. 

All  believed  this  except  Lawrence.  He  still  in- 
dulged in  a  faint  hope  that  Guilford  might  not  be 
dead,  but  when  one  of  his  company  told  him  that  he 
saw  Guilford  after  he  was  shot,  and  that  he  was 


^ 


340  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  EIDGE 

lying  on  the  ground,  inert  and  motionless,  his  breast 
covered  with  blood,  and  as  dead  as  any  man  he  ever 
saw,  even  Lawrence  had  to  give  up  and  mourn  him 
as  dead. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

AFTER   THE   BATTLE 

ALTHOUGH  Lawrence's  search  for  Guilford 
among  the  wounded  was  without  resuU,  he 
met  with  a  pleasant  surprise.  In  a  Confed- 
erate hospital,  where  many  of  the  more  severely 
wounded  had  heen  left,  he  thought  he  saw  a  familiar 
figure.  As  he  came  nearer  he  saw  he  was  not 
mistaken. 

"  Doctor  Goodnow,  as  I  live,"  he  cried,  rushing 
forward  with  extended  hand.  "  I  am  glad  to  see 
you." 

The  doctor  straightened  up  from  the  wounded 
man  over  whom  he  was  bending,  a  smile  came  over 
his  good-natured  face,  but  he  exclaimed  roughly, 
"  Glad  to  see  me,  eh  ?  Well,  I  'm  not  glad  to  see 
you.  I  am  here  against  my  own  free  will  and 
volition." 

This,  however,  did  not  prevent  the  doctor  from 
grasping  Lawrence's  hand  and  nearly  wringing  it 
off.  When  the  doctor  had  sufficient  leisure.  Law- 
rence introduced  him  to  the  officers  of  the  army  and 
told  the  story  of  how  he  had  defended  his  father 

341 


342  TEE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

and  himself  from  a  Missouri  mob,  and  he  was  re- 
ceived with  open  arms.  His  droll  manner,  even  his 
rough  speech,  made  him  a  favorite,  and  when  at  the 
end  of  two  weeks  he  was  exchanged,  it  was  with  sin- 
cere regrets  that  they  saw  him  go. 

The  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  brought  great  changes  to 
both  armies.  It  ended  for  nearly  two  years  the  ef- 
forts of  General  Price  to  wrest  Missouri  from  the 
hands  of  the  Federals.  Price  was  appointed  a 
major  general  in  the  Confederate  army ;  but  in  spile 
of  his  frantic  appeals,  of  all  the  thousands  who  had 
rallied  to  his  standard,  but  six  thousand  could  be  in- 
duced to  enter  the  Confederate  service.  The  rest 
preferred  to  stay  at  home  and  become  guerrillas, 
bushwhackers  or  independent  rangers. 

The  six  thousand  who  did  enlist  were  the  flower 
of  Price's  amiy.  Believing  in  the  righteousness  of 
the  cause  for  which  they  fought,  but  scorning  to  be- 
come guerillas  or  bushwhackers,  they  entered  the 
regular  Confederate  service,  and  well  and  bravely 
did  they  serve. 

The  Missouri  brigade  was  soon  removed  east  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  there  its  flags  floated  on  many 
a  bloody  field  among  the  bravest  of  the  brave.  No 
troops  in  the  Confederate  service  gave  up  more,  sac- 
rificed more,  than  that  lone  Missouri  brigade.  Far 
from  home,  knowing  that  their  State  was  being 
devastated  by  friend  and  foe  alike,  they  remained 


AFTER   THE  BATTLE  34S 

true  to  the  last,  and  it  was  not  until  the  last  hope 
was  gone,  and  the  last  shot  fired  that  they  grounded 
arms. 

The  remnant  of  the  brigade  returned  to  ruined 
fields  and  wrecked  homes.  But  with  hearts  as  brave 
as  when  they  met  tlieir  foes,  they  went  to  work  to 
build  up  the  waste  places.  Those  who  had  been  their 
foes  became  their  friends,  and  hand  in  hand  they 
worked,  making  of  ]\Iissouri  one  of  the  great  States 
of  the  Union. 

Great  as  the  changes  were  that  the  battle  of  Pea 
Ridge  brought  to  the  Confederate  army,  it  WTOUght 
fully  as  great  in  the  Federal  army. 

The  Scouts,  which  Lawrence  commanded,  had 
been  acting  as  State  troops  under  a  commission  by 
Fremont.  Those  of  the  band  who  had  been  regu- 
lar enlisted  soldiers  w^ere  ordered  back  to  their  regi- 
ments, and  the  "  Lyon's  Scouts "  like  Fremont's 
famous  body  guard,  became  a  thing  of  the  past. 
Lawrence  did  not  try  to  reorganize  the  Scouts,  his 
heart  was  too  sad  over  the  loss  of  Guilford.  He  felt 
that  without  him,  he  could  never  make  another  com- 
pany become  what  the  old  one  was. 

Harry  Semans  and  Bruno  returned  to  Missouri, 
and  in  the  guerilla  warfare  which  still  continued  to 
curse  the  State  and  which  grew  more  bitter  with  the 
years,  we  may  hear  of  them  again. 

Dan     Sheniian     refused     to     leave     Lawrence. 


344  THE  SCOUT  OF  PEA  BIDGE 

"  Where  you  go,  there  will  I  go/'  he  said,  and  Law- 
rence was  glad,  for  with  Dan  gone  it  would  seem 
to  him  that  everything  connecting  him  with  the  past 
was  gone. 

Lawrence,  too,  was  transferred  to  other  fields, 
and  in  the  great  campaigns  which  resulted  in  the 
opening  of  the  Mississippi,  he  bore  a  most  honorable 
part. 


The  End 


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